[ my shopping bag wall ]

IF YOU are anything like me, receiving something from a designer shop is an exciting event {perhaps if I shopped there on a regular basis, the novelty would wear off}. And to me, the shopping bag is just as exciting as what's inside - the giddy knowledge of what treasure it contains.

I don't have many but any that I do have, I've collected over the last few years and haven't wanted to part with them {that's the hoarder in me}. I knew that I would eventually want to display them and have recently come across a few examples of how to do just that:

a framed grouping...

or simply hung from their handles...

or grouped into a collage... 

I decided to go the framed route since I had a great spot in my bedroom crying out for artwork...

I gathered up my collection and decided to add in my vintage advertisements I picked up at the Nice antique market {see post here} just to mix things up a little bit...

Off to IKEA for some frames...

I decided to play around with the arrangement on the bed, trying to get the sizes to fit well with one another...

Then the tedious task of framing them and transferring the arrangement onto the wall {using my favourite 3M Command Strips}...

Finally done!

I'm really happy with the random arrangement which also leaves room in case I happen to receive any others I want to add to the group {are you reading this, hon? hint hint...}

lisa

[house&home; tumblr; swansisland; via alexandrastylist; via inmyownstyle] 

[ spicing it up ]

ONE THING about being in a small apartment, kitchen storage space is limited. And I needed to find a solution for all the random jars and bags of spices that were jammed onto a shelf and difficult to sort through.

I would have loved an in-drawer spice organizer but I didn't have a spare drawer to devote to it. I also couldn't install a spice rack on the back-splash. hmmm...

While browsing around IKEA {what would I do without that place?}, I came across their Grundtal magnetic spice jars that are designed to adhere to metal rods that you screw into the wall or back-splash.

But, being magnetic, I realized that these would simply stick to the side of the fridge - no need to buy the rods! {I've had a stainless steel fridge for years so I had forgotten about magnets!}

And sure, I could have spent some time creating some fancy labels but instead I went the cheap and cheerful route...

masking tape and a marker!

Nothing fancy but I kind of like the simple look of it. I can add more as I need them and it's easy to see how much of each spice I have on hand. Do you love these as much as I do?

lisa

[ under my console ]

YESTERDAY I showed you some inspirational pics of what to put under a console table. Thanks for all of your great comments! I loved hearing which ones you were drawn to and what you've done in your own home.

Here's my console. It used to be behind my sofa, but now that it is against the wall, I find the empty space makes it look a little wimpy {I may give it a painted facelift but for now here it is}.

I love the idea of stools but I'm thinking that since it likely won't be in the entry, maybe something other than stools would be nice. And with so many other options of how to fill that empty void, I've decided that my favourite is a stack of baskets {great way to add texture}.

something like this...

I love the idea of being able to store things in them, especially in a small apartment - I need all the hiding places I can get!

So I started looking around and was having a hard time finding anything. I finally found these at Pottery Barn...

But at about $70+ each, I just didn't want to spend that much on baskets.

So I kept looking and came across these...

Did you see that price?? $8! At Pottery Barn! I don't know if they were priced incorrectly or what, but I wasn't going to pass up this bargain! They weren't exactly what I was looking for, but I figured I could make them work.

I grabbed 4 and check this out...

They stack nicely and I gave them some little numbered tags - I think they do the trick. Great for magazines or I can even make some liners to store smaller things  - all for a grand total of $32! What do you think?

lisa

[ lighting issues ]

WHEN WE moved into this apartment, all we got was bare bones. Any lighting consisted of lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling and no curtains or blinds anywhere (I know, the landlord really made an effort).

There are some things that I don't mind spending money on, like furniture and things that can be used later on when we move from here. But considering all that we are having to buy, I didn't want to spend much on things like hallway and entry lighting fixtures.

IKEA to the rescue! For all of $4, I was able to pick up a Lobbo shade that snapped together in a flash. And all we had to do was unscrew the lightbulb, pop on the shade and screw the lightbulb back in. Easy peasy!

I think it does the trick and you can't beat the price!

lisa

[ art grouping reveal ]

AFTER A whole lot of measuring, marking, measuring, marking.... I finally completed the art grouping above our sofa! whew!

I won't lie - it was a very time-consuming project to get everything framed, and accurately measured. But thank goodness for the Command Strips!

While they do take time to use {you have to wait about an hour between putting up the strip and hanging the pic on it}, being able to adjust everything later was a life-saver.

We didn't have the option to use nails because of our concrete walls, but even if we could, I probably still would have used these strips to avoid multiple nail holes and the ability to cleanly remove them when we move without evidence of them ever being hung there {brilliant!}.

Not bad... fairly straight!

And what do you think of the new cushions?
2 grainsack DIYs, a Pottery Barn "coral" cushion and 2 striped PB covers on clearance, I think they pick up the colours in the pics nicely.

I think they work well on the linen sofa but will look equally as good once I get the white slipcover made. I'll share more of the living room later on.

This project was definitely worth the effort - it makes an impact and does a good job of filling a large area.

And picking up frames on sale and using my own photographs makes it a cheap and cheerful DIY {total cost: about $100}.

One wall down, many more blank ones to fill!

lisa

 

[ art grouping progress ]

SO I'VE made a bit of progress on my art grouping over the sofa - I've narrowed down the pics I'll be using (all but a couple were taken by me over the years). After a bit of playing around in Photoshop, I'm happy with how they look grouped together.

Now to frame them and the gruelling job of measuring them out on the wall!

Thank goodness for these little guys since our walls are concrete and no nailing is possible:

I think these will be a godsend since the pics can be shifted around a bit to get them all aligned afterwards (my pet peeve is groupings like this where they don't line up).

Wish me luck! So that's what's on my plate this weekend - whatcha up to?

lisa

[ get in line ]

NOW THAT my lovely sofa has arrived, as well as my other shipments, I need to get my butt in gear and dress up this place! And first up, some art for these bare walls.

I really like the idea of structured art groupings and these inspirational pics have me thinking that this would look lovely on the big wall over the sofa.

I remembered that I had 9 frames I had picked up in Ireland about 4 years ago on clearance and while I had the best intentions to put them up, I just didn't bother in our furnished apartment.

At first I wasn't sure about the soft gold tone, but I think it will add a nice bit of sparkle to the space.

Since Dubai is so hot, I've decided to choose some summer shots, many of which I've taken over the years. And rather than print them as black & white which was my original plan with these frames, I'll play around with them in Photoshop and frame coloured pics instead. I'm making this into a cheap and cheerful project.

This could take a while, as I'm sure I'm going to second guess my pic choices but I'll try to get them done and up to share soon. So that's what I'm doing today... what are you up to?

lisa

[via b-wonder; 2,3 via lifeinaventicup; via designholeonline; via tobifairley; 

better homes and gardens; house beautiful; houzz; via inspiringinteriors]

[ sofa how I love thee ]

AFTER WEEKS of waiting, you've finally come into my life and you were well worth the wait. From your sexy legs to those toned arms and cushy seat, I know that we'll enjoy many long afternoons together. I love you.

lisa