Tag: Accessories

The Curtain Call!

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I’ve been wanting to add some color to our living room for quite some time.  Repainting is out of the question for now due to small children and lack of time.  So, what else makes a big impact while being cheap?  Curtains, of course! 

I considered sewing curtains, but decided to look for a pre-made set first.  First stop, Target.  And guess what I found?  Two sets that I liked.  Target rarely lets me down.

Option number 1:  The first set is made be Fieldcrest.  A navy blue with a lovely overlapping circle pattern and lining.  Perfect for blocking light and adding privacy. 

Option number 2: The second set are from Target’s Home line.  The faux silk has the texture of real silk, but unlike real silk, these curtains can be machine washed and dried.  Perfect for homes with kids with sticky jam hands.  And the color is great. 

I bought both sets to get Ben’s opinion.  He liked the navy curtains becuase the color would help hide dirt.  BUT, the sea green color, texture, and airyness almost matched the dining room curtains I sewed last year. 

So, number 2 it is.  They seem happy in their new home, right?

We’ve Been Framed

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I think I have some form of seasonal depression.  When spring finally arrives, I feel compelled to make everything light and bright.  I make new artwork.  I sew new pillow covers.  I clean like crazy.  I still have a few changes on my list, but we checked one off this weekend. 

We (when I say we, I mean Ben) painted some of our picture frames.  Most were black before, like this set of family photos in our hallway:

And this in my office:

A few (7) cans of white gloss spray paint later and we have this:

The hall frames weren’t the only ones to get a facelift.  The remaining frames hung on the living room walls got the same treatment. 

Here’s an action shot:

Add some high gloss brown and my office frames look like this:

I really love the gloss finish.  It makes everything feel more chic and polished.

How To: Artfully Arrange a Bookshelf

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Arranging a beautiful bookshelf seems like a simple task.  Really, it can be difficult if you’re a perfectionist and organizer like I am.  I would LOVE to organize my books so they are just pretty, like by color.  But, the logical side of me says, “Amanda, that is SO impractical.  You NEED to organize by subject.”  Yes, I am a tad OCD. 

Just before our second son, Ev, was born, we worked to finish our basement.  What was I doing the day before Ev was born?  Not packing for the hospital, but putting together my new office!  FINALLY, after a year in the making, I had an office.  I quickly threw my books on to the shelves.  They looked okay, but they weren’t organized. 

I needed a way to make them look good and be easy to find.  So, here’s is the how-to for my newly designed system. 

1.  I took everything off the shelves.

2.  I separated all of my books into different categories: Fiction, Classic Fiction, History, Science, Travel, Biography, True Crime (guilty pleasure), magazines,  encyclopedias and random (books that don’t easily fit into my categories).  

3.  After grouping, I arranged the books in rainbow order.  Red through purple first, then white, grey, black and brown.   A group of red books is the beginning of a new group.    Not exactly a science, but it works for me. 

4.  I placed the books on the shelves where they fit best.  Then I filled in with accessories based on open spaces. 

I have most books vertical, but put some horizontal and one showing its beautiful cover.  (Thanks, Ash!)  I had some open shelf space, so I put some empty magazine files in so I have room to grow.  You’ll notice I also have storage boxes  to hold some of my stationery shop, Customized Stationary,  supplies.