A Better Decorating Workbook

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago...

(Isn't that how all great stories begin?)

We bought our house in the city.

It had decor stuck in the 80's. I was determined to make it ours.

So I started changing things up - painting, rewallpapering, etc.

To keep up with paint samples and all, I got this notebook, added paper to it and started a Home Decor book.

I added envelopes to hold wallpaper samples, pictures, paint chips.

Later I got a black folder, added black construction paper and again used it to hold paint chips and samples.

They were simple at best, plain at the worse but the best I could come up with those many years ago.

Today, there's a new book on the horizon. This one from KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood.

It's cute.

It has worksheets.

It has projects and how to's along with loads of tips

And pockets for samples...everything you need to decorate your home and help make it uniquely yours.

I sure wish it had been available all those years ago.

But I'm using it now for the farmhouse. Putting in paint colors

measuring my rooms and playing with furniture layouts

putting samples in the inside pockets

And playing with patterns and fabric samples.

It's great fun and so easy. Makes me feel like a design rock star.

Ready to get your design rock star on? Preorder this book today and you get access to free videos. But there's more! Are you ready? You can enter to win a one-on-one decorating consultation giveaway with KariAnne.  I know, right?

So what are you waiting for? Go http://thediyhomeplanner.com: to order your copy today.


*although I was given a copy of this wonderful book to review and use, all opinions are my own.

Trash to Canvas Storage Rack

 One of the things I really wanted for the studio was something to store canvases in. Right now, I have them stacked against the wall...not great. I found several inspiration photos on Pinterest.

art room at the city house

This one uses a metal shelving unit...very doable. I knew I could get the shelf unit fairly inexpensively but that meant figuring out how this one was built.

canvas storage

Then inspiration struck! Enter the crib rails a friend gave me before the wedding where I used them to hold directional signs.

I told Bruce, "Hey! How about using the crib pieces for the canvas storage rack? They already have partitions!" He agreed it was a good idea. Then he remembered the half table top our neighbors in the city were going to throw away. (We rescued it out of the trash).
He asked if I thought it was a good idea to use that for the top...all he had to do was build a bottom. Why yes! That's brilliant!

We bought a piece of plywood for the bottom and using leftover boards, Bruce got busy building my storage piece.

Before he nailed in the rails, I painted the bottom and ends. (Hey! It's my first painting in the studio, lol)

And voila! From pieces being tossed out, the perfect canvas storage table! (I actually staged it with canvases before painting it...oops).

It even has locking wheels so I can roll it around if I need to. It going to go next to my lockers as it's low enough to fit under the a/c unit.

I'm so thankful for my husband! He takes my visions and brings them to reality. Thank you, Bruce!

BTW, the other half of the table? I have that too. My neighbor gave that to me before the wedding. It's now my worktable in the studio. Thank you sweet friend!

Linking up at these parties:
Vintage Charm Party

A Unique Light For The Studio

Remember when I found this chicken line feeder in Canton?

Yikes, has it really been 2 years? It's been sitting in the barn waiting for the day the studio was done so it could become part of the decor.

You see, I figured it would make the perfect over the worktable lamp. All we had to do was run wire through the pipe and put sockets in each "shade".

And I was right. Bruce got it wired and ready to hang a couple of weeks ago. 

Then this weekend, we went and got the rope, hooks, and toggle bolts to hang it.

Whoop! It's even better than I imagined. I have the perfect industrial, crusty light hanging over my worktable.

Just check out all the light over the table!

Another project that got done was hanging metal pipes for curtain rods. Then I clipped drop cloths on for the curtains. While they will stay open most of the time, it will be good to be able to close them up when needed. 

I hung up these small metal shelves my MIL pulled out of a neighbor's trash too. There are 7 of them. They will hold craft paint bottles perfectly.

The rod and galvanized buckets came from IKEA...perfect for holding brushes, pencils and markers.

Hurray! Three more projects crossed off the list! 

Next time, I'll be sharing what Bruce and I came up with for canvas storage. It is awesome!

😊 Cecilia

Linking up at these parties!
Show and Share
The Scoop
Vintage Charm Party
Farmhouse Friday Link Party

When Dreams Need Help

Our farmhouse is not where I want it to be...yet.

But it's come a long way from where it started.

However, I still struggle with where it is and the dreams I have for it.

I look at rooms and know amazing is just waiting to happen.

I know that day is coming.

There's a long list of things we want to get done before we move there.

We're far from done but getting closer with each and every project we do.

I know some day it will all come together.

I'm trying to wait well. Make things look the best they can.

I have lots of dreams and reality doesn't quite match them yet.

But truthfully? I'm happy. Happy with our progress.

Happy with our journey.

This place tugs at my heart. It's our happy place. Our lifelong dream.

So here's to dreams and seeing what can be; and to reality and knowing the journey is just as wonderful.

________________________________________________________________________________

To help me on my journey of making dreams come true is this wonderful little home planner from KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood Farms.

 It's just the cutest thing ever and you know what? It is full of lessons and how to's for planning your space; all with wonderful, easy to follow worksheets, practical advice and great projects.

There's pockets to keep samples in, graph paper to sketch your floor plans on, places to put paint swatches, and so much more!

She reminds us our homes are one of a kind (like us!). Loved. A reflection of who we are. And it's ok there's imperfection.

So if you're like me, and you're trying to make your dreams become a reality but need a little help, why don't you grab one of these planners? It's like having your BFF along, who is there to give you good advice and help, while cheering you on.

*(While I received a DIY Home Planner, all opinions are my own.)