In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-Up

I hope you're having a glorious Easter weekend.  We're enjoying the first part of spring break and will be having a lovely time at my parents' home for Easter dinner tomorrow.  Here's what's been happening on the blog.

Monday:  Took a quick trip to my local Habitat ReStore. (I got a couple great items!)
Tuesday: A last minute idea for Easter Brunch: Chalkboard egg "place cards"
Wednesday:  I want some of those trendy pottery pieces, but I don't want to pay trendy prices. Let's just make our own.
Thursday:  A flower arrangement... In a lampshade.
Friday:  Speaking of lampshades, I got some new ones.  What a difference.

Have a great weekend, and Happy Easter!

about Vivienne Wagner

Refreshing the house for spring. Lighten up, already!

Even though the calendar says it is spring, much of the country is under several inches of snow.  Brr.  We don't have that problem here in Southern California, but I'm still itching to lighten up around the house.  I'm ready to bring in some color and some more light.

I realized one of the things that has been making it feel kind of winter-ish around here are the lampshades on my lamps.  They were kind of dark, or the shape was a bit dated, or they were just boring.  I headed to Target to check out what was available in their Threshold line.  (You can also shop online too.. check out this "shoppable" video.)


I got some new shades for the lamps on my buffet in the dining room.  The old ones were too small for the space (and boring) and since I can't decide on what to do with the wall, I needed something with a little oomph.

OK, so ignore the stuff all over the buffet in the photo on the left.  Can you see how under-sized those lampshades are?  This big, gorgeous burlap drum shades are a much better size for the space and I love the texture that they bring in.

I got new shades for the lamps in our living room too.  They were looking dated.

The shape of the one on the left was just not working for me any more.  I love the linen look of this drum shade, as well as the texture.

Speaking of texture, I also picked up this fabulous table runner.

A funny thing about Target... you can go in thinking that you're there to pick up eggs, shampoo and some greeting cards, and you can leave with a warmer, more inviting living space.

How do they do that?!

It’s Time for Springtime.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

  about Vivienne Wagner

A lampshade? In a floral arrangement? Why not.

I've been changing out some of my lampshades.  There are a couple that I really like but are too small for the space.  Don't laugh at me, but I didn't want to put them away yet, so I used them in a floral arrangement.

 

I love the chunky rusticity of them, and the shape kind of resembled a pot, so I thought they'd be perfect for a temporary arrangement.

So super duper easy.  The only caveat is that you need to to put it together where you want it, and you can't move it after that.

I flipped the lampshade upside down, added glass jars inside of it and then added the flowers as if it was one big vase instead of a bunch of separate jars.  Roses from the store and clippings from a flowering shrub in my yard.... easy!

Now, as lampshades and floral design go (ahem) this is kind of expected.  (It is a basket, after all.)  But I think this would look really cool if it was a shade with a really beautiful or funky pattern on it, or with lots of shapes or colors on it.  I think you could really do some fun things.

Or maybe I am just tired and I need a nap.  What do you think?
about Vivienne Wagner

Faking the look of trendy pottery pieces. An easy DIY.

I'm finally starting to get in a spring-y mood.  I'm ready for a little color.

 

I've been seeing this gorgeous blue-green color everywhere and I am loving it.  I did a faux patina champagne bucket in a similar color a few weeks ago and I love it.

It can be kind of pricey, so I decided to do some of my own.  Remember my embarrassing pot addiction, and how I vowed to fix them up?

Here goes the first.

I started out with an urn that I had previously spray painted yellow, but was now chipped.  I didn't even bother to sand it, I just sprayed it a sage green.  When that was dry, I put a small amount of light blue paint directly onto the urn and sort of dry-brushed/slapped the paint on until the whole thing was covered.

It sounds funny to say "slapped the paint on" yet that is exactly what I mean.  You move the brush fairly quickly back and forth, and the paint rubs off in some places more than others, so you have a bit of depth in the colors.

I brushed with my right hand and tried to shoot a quick video with my phone to illustrate.  (Clearly, I cannot do two things at once, but this should give you an idea of what I mean.)

I need an assistant.  Or at least a spare kid to hold the camera for me.    At any rate, once the paint is dry, spray it with a nice coat of a clear gloss, let it dry and pop a plant in there.

My friend and I went shopping yesterday and I was seeing pots and urns like this for $40 and up.  (A big one was $395!)  No thanks.  I like my version that recycled something I already had and probably cost about $3 to make.

What do you think?

***UPDATED 3/28/13 - The products I used were: Valspar's Leafy Rise satin spray paint, then Martha Stewart's Surf craft paint. I used a heavy coat of Valspar's Clear Gloss over the whole shebang.***


  about Vivienne Wagner

Chalkboard eggs: an easy (last minute) DIY project for Easter Brunch.

Last week I shared a tablescape for an early Easter Brunch.  I realized there was something missing... Place cards.   I quickly whipped up a couple of fun DIY "place cards" using plastic eggs and chalkboard paint.

I know it's only a few days until Easter, but this is super fast and easy to do.  (It took just minutes to do and about 30 minutes to dry.)

Grab some chalkboard paint and paint some plain plastic eggs.  Do not use the eggs that come apart  so you can fill them with candy, etc.  The seam will show.  I repainted some foam eggs that were a previous craft project gone wrong.

It seriously can't be any easier.  Write your guests' names on the eggs and then display them.  I love them sitting in little vintage champagne glasses in a "nest" of fresh rosemary.  I happen to have this growing in my backyard, but you could use just about anything... even lettuce right out of the fridge.  (See?  I told you it was easy.)

What are you doing for Easter?


  about Vivienne Wagner

A quick trip to Habitat ReStore.

Most people have heard of Habitat For Humanity and the fabulous work that they do, but did you know that they also have stores?  Habitat ReStores help to raise money to fund HFH projects and have locations in 49 states.

Yesterday I met up with Barbara from Chase The Star to explore one of our local stores.  I met Barbara when she attended The SoCal Social last year and got to say a quick hello when I bumped into her at the CHA trade show.  We are both going to the SNAP Conference, and since we live fairly close to each other, we thought it would be fun to have a thrift shop day.

Poor Barbara!  She still smiled beautifully even though the wind blew some of my hair into her mouth.  Sorry!  

We had a great visit and had fun checking out the store.

There are tons of building supplies:  shutters, windows, doors, cabinetry, lighting, all sorts of things... check out all of this great tile.

They also have furniture, knick-knacks, sinks, strange things, art work and (at this store) stacks and stacks of mirrors. 

sorry for the blurry photo of the mirrors... I just got so dang excited.  

At the end of the trip, Barbara and I decided to each buy one of these lamps.  (There were at least 20 of them.)

We thought it would be fun if each one of us got one and re-did it.  It will be fun to see how the same lamp will end up looking totally different and them share how we did them.

The other thing that came home with me...?  This baby.

Solid wood... $49.  I have plans for him.  Hopefully I will show you both the bookcase and the lamp very soon.  

Do you have a Habitat ReStore near you?  Do you love it?

(UPDATED: We shopped the Garden Grove, CA location.)

about Vivienne Wagner

In case you missed it: Weekly Wrap-up

Did you have a good week?  We did!  We are sort of getting back to normal around here!  Yay!

Monday:  A Mitch Update: Back to school.
Tuesday:  I confessed that I have a pot addiction that I need to do something about.
Wednesday: (Nothing.  It's so shameful!)
Thursday: Mixing and matching patterns and colors.
Friday:  An easy (and practically free) DIY mat and frame project.  Look, Ma! No tools!

Have a great weekend!


about Vivienne Wagner

A quick and easy mat & frame project. (No tools. You just need tape!)

A few years back I made a simple burlap mat for a framed photo, and I recently had someone ask me how I did it.  (It is super-duper easy.  Don't blink, or you might miss it!)

 

I found this frame sitting on the curb.  (People in my neighborhood throw away the best stuff!) It did not have glass or backing... it was just the frame.  I painted it black, then cut up an old box to get a piece of cardboard to fit the frame.

This all might look a bit strange, because I actually deconstructed this to show you, but here goes:

Take a piece of burlap (or any fabric that you like) and cover the cardboard.  I folded it over the edges and secured it on the back with Duck Tape.    It's OK if it overlaps because it is part of what will keep the cardboard in the frame.

The photo I printed up had a big white border on it.  Rather than try to cut it off, I cut 4 lengths of sheer ribbon.  Run the first 2 pieces over the top and bottom of the photo first.  Fold the loose ends around to the back of the photo and adhere with regular adhesive tape.  Take the 2 remaining lengths of ribbon and fold them over the sides.  Where the ribbons overlap you will have darker little squares in the corners.

Now all that is left is to pop it into your frame.

I just taped the cardboard in there with lots-o-duck-tape.  (There!  I fixed it!)

Since it hangs on the wall, the back doesn't show.  Considering the project consists of a free frame, burlap and ribbon I already had, and a photo I printed myself... I splurged and bought glass to fit.  (At a yard sale.)

Yep.  That's how I frame.  Do you have any dirty little decor secrets?
about Vivienne Wagner

Mixing patterns and colors... It shouldn't be scary.

Are you a scaredy-cat when it comes to mixing patterns?  Do you wonder how some designers and home decor bloggers seem to do it effortlessly, while if you give it a go it looks like your room was designed by the Ringling Brothers?  How about color?  Are you go big or go home kind of person or are you more of a beige is my favorite color person?   I love patterns and color. I'm not terribly brave about using mixing lots of patterns together (I'm in a support group for that) but I love them just the same.  What I've found is that there is usually an easy rule of thumb to follow, and as long as you know a few basics, you're good to go...

Choose an inspiration piece. 
Have something you love?  Use it to pull color into the room.

I love this rug from Target's Threshold Collection. The colors are great and it's easy to add coordinating colors and patterns to the room once you have an inspiration piece to play off of.

Size Matters. 
Try varying the sizes of patterns.  Pick a color scheme and find coordinating items with small, medium and large sized patterns.  You don't want matchy-matchy, but you do want it to all work together.

Pinterest

The large pattern on the throw, the medium size on the window treatments and small on the pillows.  The colors tie them together and the varied sizes keep them from being overwhelming to the eye.

Repeat.
Whether it is a color, a fabric, a shape or a finish, having an element that repeats throughout the room is a great way to tie everything together.  Here is a great example of just a few pops of bright color can pull the whole room together.

Pinterest

I think if this room didn't have the pink that it would feel very bland and kind of cold.  The pink brings an element of fun to it.  Someday I will have a Mom Cave and I guarantee this shade of pink will be in there in some way!

Texture.
Texture is a big thing for me. I often have lots of things in the same color family, but just layer different textures and finishes.

I love greens and browns and whites.  Oh, and a little bit of sparkle.  I'm just drawn to this look.  All of the vibrant colors are fabulous and I love little pops of them, but at the end of the day, this subdued palette is my aesthetic.    When it comes to mixing and matching patterns and color, there are plenty of guidelines to help you out, but I think the most important is that something in it needs to speak to you.  It's your home, your space... how do you want it to feel?

It's Time for Springtime!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

about Vivienne Wagner

My pot addiction.

Omgosh!  NO!  Not that kind of pot!
This kind of pot:

I feel like I have eleventy billion of these pots and urns laying around.  (So does Handsome Hubby, who complains regularly about my Side-Yard of Shame.)

This is my goal over the next week or so:  To get these pots repainted, replanted or tossed out.

Spring fever is kicking in for me and I am itching to get out into the yard.  I can't, in good conscience, buy new pots and urns with all of these sitting around.  Wish me luck!

Do you have projects you need to take care of?  Or a Side Yard of Shame...?
about Vivienne Wagner

Look how far we've come!

So 47 days after he was run over by a truck, Mitch returned to school.

He can get up and walk around but he gets tired pretty easily, so he needs to ride in the wheelchair from class to class.  Conner got a special pass to be excused 5 minutes early and arrive 5 minutes late to each class so that he can push Mitch.

As sweet as that is, please trust me that they are both ready to work the situation.  The phrases "chicks dig scars" and "it's a total chick magnet" have been floating around this house for days now.    (And please, don't even think about leaving some politically correct/indignant comment about girls being referred to as chicks.  I can assure you it is in jest.  I am not raising little meatheads.) 

So glad that everything is getting back to normal and that everyone was able to work together to help take care of Mitch.  It has truly been a blessing and a privilege to be a part of his care, and has been a wake-up call as to how we should never take any of our days for granted.

about Vivienne Wagner