a sunday project

This inspired me to do a little project today.. it's going to involve some gold paint. Can you guess what?! I'll keep you updated..

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black doors

They're done! Wow it's hard to get a decent picture of a door when the sun is shining..so I apologize for the icky picture but wanted to share the outcome!

Share your design inspiration, I'll help turn it into a reality! e design services start at $85. Visit sarah swanson design.

hint of black

Here it is ( in all it's wrinkled glory ;) sorry.. the new black Ikea duvet cover. I have to say I love it! We also updated our window treatments in the bedroom and got the doors painted black, it's been a productive few days! I'll post pictures!

Share your design inspiration, I'll help turn it into a reality! e design services start at $85. Visit sarah swanson design.

a new look

before-

after-

when we built our house 2.5 years ago the builder wanted to charge us $700 to upgrade our cabinet handles. ( not kidding, can you imagine?! ) needless to say we found an option that we could live with, at no extra cost. Fast forward to now and our kitchen is ready for a little update. A trip to a new Lowe's in the neighborhood,and there we have it, bright shiny new hardware ( for under $75 ). I am adoring the polished chrome finish.. even Kevin notices the difference!

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love stella & dot? Canadian shoppers can visit my shop by clicking right here! x

[project] nursery

this room belongs to a sweet baby girl who is still snoozing in her mom + dad's room. While she's there, I'm going to get this room decorated and all cozy for her.. oh how fun :)

see the services available through sarah swanson design-
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love stella & dot? Canadian shoppers can visit my shop by clicking right here! x

the basement ( playroom )

Welcome to our basement..it's the girls playroom ( with a little spot for mom and dad to sit ), a space we developed from scratch oh, 7 months ago, that hasn't been getting much use.

It's a budget space. Tight budget :) There's alot of ikea, and alot of toys ( wish there was a tighter budget there ;) We added the trim this weekend, painted and arranged for the umteenth time. Let's see if we start using it now....

knock off art

I ended up doing a version of the black and white art that I was loving. I did it on a smaller scale, and made 2 of them. They are framed in gold frames I wasn't using, and I'm quite liking them. I'll have to get a shot of where they ended up-

supplies I had on hand.. kids Ikea roll of paper, black paint sample pot ( $1, home depot ) borrowed the girls paint brush and away I went

quick outline. ( Calleigh asked why I was painting squares, and why I didn't draw them properly ) While painting, I realised they look like my province.

dried and framed. I promise I'll show you where they are now..

remember the inspiration-

images, mine + house beautiful. ( I think we know which is which ;)

upgrading a $9.99 light fixture

I had an idea, and we'll see if it pans out :)
It started with these VERY basic flush mount lights ( $9.99 at home depot )

spray with bronze spray paint to update the basic white, keep the brass screws, and here's the update.. next, I'll show you where they are going..

the final update to the Ikea dresser update-

Remember when I started my Ikea dresser update? Once I had painted and lightly stained it, I was pretty smitten with it. I had been thinking about changing up the hardware.. but like many things, there is so much more going on than to think to look for some I liked. Plus I didn't want to spend a bunch on it. While snooping around home depot last weekend I thought I would have a peek-

and for $2.00 a pull, found these.

I like them :)

I really like that they cost me $12.

!!

Project done.

painting furniture, updating an ikea dresser

I decided to give a dresser a little update, by treating it just like I did my desk. Don't worry, they are on different floors! I love the update, I had all the supplies at home, and the girls thought it was interesting watching me paint dresser drawers in the kitchen!

I have to say I'm pretty smitten with it!

painting furniture

Do you play musical furniture? This dresser my mom + dad bought for Calleigh's baby room 5 years ago. She now has an armoire, so Lauren had the dresser. Now she has the white model of this dresser, and Calleigh's original piece is now my side table. So thanks mom :)
To get to the point, I am thinking about doing the same treatment to this as I did to my desk. Staining the outside darker and painting the drawers a creamy white.


Make sure you visit all the giveaway posts along the left sidebar to enter!

I'm pretty flattered this week.. you can find my bedroom pick here, and my entry here! Thanks Yahnay and Brittany! Make sure you stop by and see Brittany for another great giveaway!

weekend project

I'm working on a second desk space for myself. This one's in the newly finished basement. I have an overwhelming urge to be surrounded by controlled clutter -


image -the beginning of a great inspiration board :)

carriage light

A little tlc and this fixture will have a new home in my living room -
I've added a few little hints of brass through the house and I'm loving it.

play room gallery

I just ordered this little charmer to add to the girls play room gallery -

it's coming along.. a few thrift store finds, etsy prints + girls art work

I love the casualness of the mix :)

our work continues

A long weekend spent painting + laying flooring-

has gotten these two very excited about their new space-

and a quick trip to walmart to pick up toys for grandma's house..yielded this cute and inexpensive outdoor rug -

We are off from work this week ( yay! ) and the basement work will continue-

Oh, I finished my side of the road project.. it just may be my favorite piece in the new basement!

Pictures soon!

ugly duckling

Remember my side of the road find? ( yeah, I really made my husband stop and pick it up )-

It's a little battered and bruised + a good challenge. I'll show you how it turns out!

Happy Weekend!

oh, and I should have a few basement pics for you next week :)

paint it white

the little vintage bamboo magazine rack got its coat of white this past weekend-
( I have a few more finds to share with you, I tucked them away and forgot about them! They're from our outing with grandma two weeks ago )

my new old desk, finished

There's no question that the pieces on it will continue to change, but the trim work is done ( thanks honey! ) and painted and I am just so in love with my little space-