Spotlight : Modern Arks

Good Afternoon!

I love being introduced to creative and inventive people.  Recently I was working with a client and she was wanting touches of rustic pieces in her home.  When it came to the dining room to fit her perfectly square dining space we knew we didn't want to go with a rectangular table or square table.  As I was doing my research I came across an article in Design Sponge.  I was intrigued and looked them up on Etsy.

Beautiful right?  

This is what caught my eye..

This was the dining table I needed!

Jamie, the creative behind Modern Arks was so very pleasant to work with.  He was great in communication and when we got the piece in it was exactly what we asked for.  The craftsmanship is amazing.  Truly an artist.

finished..

It is just absolutely stunning! So if you are looking for that handmade, craftsmanship detail please go check Modern Arks out.

Green With Envy

Good afternoon!

How is everyone doing with the time change?

I personally believe I have jet lag..lol.

March is not only the month where we do the time change, St. Patrick's Day but where the weather seems to change from winter to spring.  Let's celebrate it by looking at rooms that are green : )

(image source here )

I love this backsplash.  It echoes the tree outside and makes it cohesive.

(interior design by Tobi Fairly)

Green and gold = gorgeous

(design sponge)

 (image source here)

What do you think of the color green?  Would you incorporate it into your space?

DIY : Making A Side Table

Hope your Holiday's were wonderful!  It's been a very relaxing time for us.
We were invited to a lovely dinner with some new friends at their house.

Betsy was an interior decorator in Upstate New York.  They moved into the home her husband grew up in and they have shown it some love.

Love this room.  So very cozy.

Look at the treasure I found : )

Hanging out...my husband playing guitar with one of their kids.

I get so inspired by DIY projects that are showcased in blogs like Design Sponge that I did one for my husband.

I bought a breakfast tray at a local store and decided to make it into a table for my husband's office.

I bought the legs which had to be the right side table length.

I purchased the top plate which came with the screws.  However, the screws were too long and I didn't want them to come through to the other side.

The wonderful man at Ace Hardware found me screws that were half the size in length.

Attaching leg number one.

 Here is the result with the legs not stained.

My husband and I decided to stain it the same color as the lamp you see in the above picture.

Final result..

 Here it is in his office..
The chair I refinished with the table and a vintage lamp.  I am just beginning.  I have many more projects in the future for this space.

Have a great week all : )

Another Small Transformation

TGIF!  

I am so happy that we finally have rain and a break from this unbearable heat.  It was a welcome sound when I woke up this morning to the pitter patter of raindrops.

I am also happy because I get to go into Walker Elementary and begin the staging process of the teachers lounge.

The cabinets for the kitchenette are done but we are still waiting for the counter tops.  

I wanted to show you another set of chairs that we refurbished.

The before...

The chair had a hard, dark finish.  You could hardly see the wood grain.  The fabric on the chair, well, can I just say UGLY!

Then we began to work on them..

Days and days of work.  Stripping the chair...sanding...re-stripping..sanding..I think you get the picture.

After all that, here is what they look like today

Didn't they come out beautiful?  I love them.

I think the teachers at Walker Elementary will love them as well.

When I began talking about the teacher's lounge I had a whole lot of inspiration from different sources.  One of those sites came from Design Sponge.

Look at these chairs I found on her site and was inspired to take on the challenge of the ones I showed above.

(image source) Design Sponge

The After..

image source Design Sponge

Gorgeous!

I will post more here next week and will show you what was accomplished today.

Have a great weekend : )

Community Undertaking

I am so happy it's Friday!  Are you all looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend?  I know I am.  

I have been really busy the last several months and all for a great cause.  I have been asked to be a part of the design team for Rockford Sharefest.  It's a once a year event where Heartland Community Church, volunteers and businesses from all over our city come together to renovate certain schools.  It's our way of giving back : )

Check this video out..

(to listen to the video please press pause for the music in side bar)

I had to come up with design inspiration for a teachers lounge at one of the schools and here is my inspiration

Inspiration from..Design Sponge, Elle Decor, HGTV Dream Home, Natuzzi, Design Within Reach, Angelo Surmelis (Rate My Space)

I met several days ago with the other ladies (not all of them) to go over the plans for the teachers lounge which we are in (in this picture below) but also to finalize everything else for that school.

These guys are genius carpenters.  Thank God for Becky helping us get all the measurements right.

Everyone has been a joy to work with.  I can't wait to show all of you what has been accomplished : )

BTW... Have a great Memorial Day weekend.  Say thank you to our men and women in uniform if you come across them.

The song "Discover Life " was written by my husband for Rockford Sharefest .. hope you enjoy.