Shore files: Gallery Wall Unveiled

Picking up from this post, let's get going on the gallery wall. Out to the hardware store to get a decent level and pick up a boatload of those command picture hanging thingies (you know I have an aversion to putting holes in my walls, right?)

I laid out the photos as I wanted to hang them and then got to work taping them to the mattes and finishing off the picture frames*. After much mental futzing, hemming and hawing, I decided to change the original configuration a bit to make all of the photos vertical. After that there was no more putting it off, on the wall they had to go. I put the first one up...

After the first one was set, everything got spaced out around that one. I called in the hubs for reinforcements when I needed another eye or set of arms but this was mostly a one woman job. And it took forever. Maybe I was just being too particular but I was wrapped up in this for most of the day. I'll spare you the play by play and show you the magic of tv version.

Finally, it was done. I'm totally happy with it - so happy I did it.

It really brings a balance to that side of the room that was totally missing before. Yes, the tv is still a giant black box but it gives the eye somewhere else to rest, makes for conversation and incorporates lots of happy memories of our travels in the room.

You might also notice I swapped out those awful white plastic blinds with some matchsticks in here. They were cheapies from Home Depot and I totally got what I paid for - complete junk - broken, missing hardware, mismatched, crooked. So annoying! But they are better than the plastic for now.

This room still isn't done - I have a few more projects to get to before I feel its there - but I'm feeling so much more pleased with how it looks now. At least its ready for summer!

The making of a light fixture.

You might be tired about reading about the shore kitchen by now but I wanted to answer some of the questions I received about the light fixture before I moved on to anything else.

In case you missed it, Pickett Furniture created a custom light fixture for me after I couldn't seem to find the right thing. I departed from my usual bargain basement hunting and splurged on something very special for a few reasons. One, it was the centerpiece of the room. Two, it was a permanent choice - I won't be replacing it when we eventually renovate down the road. Three, it was something handmade by a craftsman rather than mass produced in a far off factory.

A lot of work went into this fixture. First Jeremy took some of my suggestions and made a multitude of sketches until it was just right. (click here to see more on that) After making a couple of paint selections, he came to meet me to show me color and sheen samples. (The winner was Benjamin Moore Evening Dove if you are curious.) All the while Jeremy kept me updated with snapshots of the fixture coming together.

Once Jeremy told us it was ready, I couldn't wait to get down there and see the finished product.

His studio happens to have an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty so bonus.

I have to tell you that having some completely custom made just for me was an incredibly fun experience. It was definitely more time consuming and expensive than picking something ready made but it was well worth it.

I hope that answers everyone's questions about how it went down. And I promise, no more of the shore kitchen until I finish those curtains!

Shore Files: Gallery Wall Underway

So remember that gallery wall I finally decided to go ahead with? Well last week the frames arrived!

After a bit of searching and several recommendations from twitter, I contact the people over at Picture Frames to help. (I just love when businesses are on twitter - makes you feel less like a number.) After a few messages back and forth, they helped me narrow down the choices with a few different suggestions on what might work. In the end I picked a simple thin frame with a vgrooved matte. Hooray for customization! A couple of days later, two big boxes were waiting for me to get started.

It did require a bit of time to put together (the frames require assembly and the mattes and glass come packaged seperately) but a few hours later they were ready for the main event. In the meantime, I had to quickly decide what photos to use on the wall. After deciding all black and white, I picked my favs. Here were some of my choices.

Once I had all of the pieces ready to go, it was time for me to get cracking on getting them on the wall. Naturally I didn't have what I needed to get started. Off I go to the hardware store for some supplies...

Ideas You Should Steal (for charity!)

If you have been following my Steal this Idea series, you know I'm a big fan of friendly idea theft.
Well, the fabulously stylish design duo behind kelly+olive have taken the concept to whole new heights - a collection of clever ideas consolidated into an easy to download e-book benefiting Design with Dignity.

I was so honored they asked me to contribute and now the book is ready for your viewing pleasure. Even if my project is old news to you, there are 16 other projects waiting for you inside its pages.

Ideas You Should Steal contains 17 fun projects submitted by top home,
craft, and lifestyle bloggers from all over the web. learn how to make an end
table out of a suitcase, how to stencil your walls using a toilet paper roll, or
even make your own rug! we know there is a project in here that will inspire
you! For a donation as little as $1, you can have a copy of your
own. and we're happy to say that 100% of the proceeds of this book go to Dwell
with Dignity! Dwell with Dignity was founded to help hard-working individuals
and families in need to just that – dwell with dignity. using re-purposed and
recycled items, they create beautiful and creative homes for families in
transitional housing, giving deserving families a fresh start and a new outlook
on life. hopefully, such inspiration will help them break the punishing cycle of
poverty and homelessness and give them a new outlook on life.

So what are you waiting for? Go get your copy now!

Steal this Idea: DIY Striped Bench

Its Friday (yippee!) - time for another Steal this Idea* feature - a tiny show of appreciation for a well executed tutorial. Today's feature comes from the clever duo of Carrie & Angie behind 221 Vision.

Carrie started with inspiration from the Ballard Design catalog and a pile o' stuff...



...invested 2 hours and made this perfect piece for a hallway, the end of a bed, a dining room or any place you need a little sit.



Impressive, right? I would have never guessed that was completely homemade. I'm also pretty wow'd that it only took her 2 hours. Go on and check out the full how-to on this and other projects at 221 Vision

postscript:
*When I say steal, I really mean borrow nicely and give proper credit!
**If you have an idea/tutorial you would like me to consider for a feature, email me. I'd love to see!

Shore Files: One fabulous fixture + kitchen peek

I promise, I haven't been intentionally teasing about the shore kitchen. I was hoping to have a fully finished before and after for you this week but things didn't go according to plan so I'm not quite finished. In the meantime, let's take a look at where I did get.

First the Pickett Furniture light fixture.



As you can probably guess from the montage of photos, I'm having quite the love affair with it. (Shhh! Don't tell Mr. Limestone!) Its even better than what I imagined. First off it has personality - something this room seriously lacked before. Second, it draws the eye to it when you enter the room, makes a stylish statement and distracts you from the the things I hate about this kitchen. Third, its practical as it adds a nice light to the room without blocking the sunshine from the windows. It was a total splurge but so worth it.

Which brings me to the rest of the kitchen makeover which, unlike the fixture, is very much on the cheap. I have a lot more to share about it but as I mentioned, I'm not quite finished. I still have to add a couple more things to finish this space off enough that I can call it done (for now). In the meantime, come on in.



Overall, I think it looks a lot better. Its got a lot more of a clean look than before which is mainly what I was going for so that was good. When I add some curtains to the window area, I think that will add a lot as well. I do like the colors I selected but I wish the countertops were a little bit lighter - they are too close in tone to the navy lower cabinets. I might repaint that, might not. Some shelving and artwork would be nice too. It's not perfect by any means but Im feeling more pleased with it.

What do you think? Do you think I should repaint the countertops? What else would help? I'd love to hear your ideas on how to improve it. (But please no suggestions on repainting the cabinets because I'll need at least a year to recover from that ordeal.)

The Idiot's Guide: How to Change a Light Fixture

So while we were quite literally watching paint dry, we had a chance to get to a few other tasks - most importantly replacing the ceiling fan with the custom light fixture! You have no idea how excited I was to see it in place since it had been a work in progress since October. (more details about the fixture to come in tomorrows post).

But today's post is purely practical. It the Idiots guide to changing a Light Fixture complete with a step by step photo guide.



Hello Mr. Ceiling Fan. Prepare to meet your maker. Bwahahhahahahahhahhah.

I'm sure many of you already know how to do this, not to mention there are loads of other sites that provide these tutorials but personally I never felt comfortable until my brother showed me how in person.

Feel free to skip this post if the know how is old news but if the idea of fiddling with electrical - even in this most superficial way - has scared you off before, keep reading. I promise, even an idiot can do it. (In this case its my brother who is playing the part of idiot while I snap the photos but he is really quite a smart guy.) Important stuff is in bold, optional steps are italized.

Step 1: Switch off the breaker to the fixture. I like to be on the safe side so I shut down the whole apartment. (My brother doesn't mind nearly getting electrocuted a little bit so he believes its not entirely necessary to do anything but shut the switch off but let's not listen to him. Mmm, okay?)

Step 2: Find the screwdriver you swear you just saw. Have your brother accuse you of moving it to another room. Defend self with righteous proclamation that he was the last to use it. Find said screwdriver was sitting right in front of both of you the entire time.



Step 3: Unscrew the plate that covers the do-dads in the ceiling (yes, that is the technical term!), exposing the junction box.



Step 4: Disconnect the existing fixture by breaking the wire connections. Remove tape, unscrew caps and untwist wires. Unscrew whatever is holding your light fixture in place. There, your old fixture should now be free.



Your ceiling should look something like this. You might also be experiencing arm fatigue right about now from feelslikeforeverbutonlytakes5minutes of using your arms over your head. Curse self for lack of upper body strength, take a break to watch Hoarders. Continue to step 5.



Step 5: Our junction box didn't have a ground wire already in it so we made one using some green covered wire and screwed it into the bit of the junction box labeled "GR". See, easy peasy. (If your junction box has a ground wire already, skip this step.)




Step 6: Using the plastic covering color as your guide, reconnect the wires. Black with black, white with white, green with green. First twist the little copper wires together, then screw the plastic caps on. We also threw a layer of black tape on there but that isn't entirely necessary.



Step 7: Screw fixture to junction box using the mounting hardware that comes with the fixture. Wonder why previous owners painted around the fixture rather than the entire ceiling.


Step 8: Turn the breaker back on, flip switch, marvel at your out your dazzling handywork!

So there you have it. If you've been putting off a change because you just weren't up to risking electrocution, fear no more!

Back with more details on the fixture and the rest of the shore kitchen makeover later this week.