Category Archives: Home Decor

One woman’s trash . . .

Posted on by
1

Is another woman’s treasure. This saying rings particularly true when it comes to me and antique finds. Anyone who knows me, also knows that I swoon over a dusty phonograph and pine for Victorian button tucked couches. The only problem with antiques is that you usually pay an arm and a leg for them, so when a friend of mine offered to give up two antique picture frames, I was overjoyed and snatched them up right away.

The frames were dated, as they surrounded an array of pressed flowers on a bed of green felt, totally circa 1970. I saw no reason that these brassy frames couldn’t be turned into something chic and stylish to spice up the grey walls of my bedroom.

I’ve always been fascinated with home decor tips that suggest using empty frames to fill a wall space. I almost find it to be counter-intuitive to hang something, that should contain a work of art or glimpse of a memory, with an empty space in the middle. However, after seeing it executed in a way that made the home seem warm instead of empty, I thought the empty frame idea might not be so bad. I also liked the use of this decorating style here and here.

After emptying out the frames, they still needed to be spruced up.The brassy edges were tarnished and gold simply isn’t part of my interior decor colour palette. I saw great potential in these two pieces as intense black frames and the DIY process of making them new-age chic was so simple!

This is what you need:

I used an auto-air colour paint, usually used for car touch-ups, because it will adhere best to metals. After 12 hours of drying, the frames were ready to hang.

As you can see, a very simple process for a rewarding final product. . .

Tell us what you think about picture frames with no pictures! Chic or cold? Ala mode or overdone?

When Life gives you Lemons

Posted on by
Reply

Following Blue Monday, this week has continued to go from blue to a dismal grey. Yesterday, the streets and sidewalks blended into one another as the dirt-trodden snow slowly turned from a pure white powder to sludge. Yesterday morning, I was so disheartened by the weather that I simply did NOT want to get out of the toasty warm bed I was enveloped in. I finally put on my leopard print slippers and slinked into the living room which appeared to be equally as dull as the scene outside my windowsill. This simply will not do, I thought. If I’m going to stay inside my house to escape the weather, I need to be inspired and get my day going with a punch. So I braved the outdoors for a quick 20 minutes, nipped out to the grocery store and picked up some Gerber daisies (my absolute favourite flower) and some lemons to take on a project that caught my eye on Pinterest . . . Happy Hump Day nuts, let the simple things in life brighten your day!

Setting the (Christmas) table

Posted on by
2

When the holidays roll around, I love to decorate my home-away-from-home. It simply doesn’t feel like the most wonderful time of the year without a few stockings adorning the mantlepiece and the fake tree standing at a glorious 5 feet and 4 inches (a mere few inches taller than myself…ahem). Even though it’s not like having a real tree, the fake one at least gives that sparkle and brightness to the living room and a pine scented candle can work wonders.

This year, however, is my first time moving the christmas decorating from the living room. . .  into a dining room. At first, I thought what on earth can I decorate this space with?  Although Jess’s Tiny Holiday Touches does the trick for the social parlour, what about the dining room and a massive dining table? I was terrified to end up plonking a nativity scene in the middle and be done with it. I thought no, there must be a better, more creative way to set the table for Christmas. I am hosting the book club Christmas party next weekend (yes, that’s right, I’m in a book club and book club celebrates christmas too, folks) and I needed to find something subtle, classic and festive to dress my naked table. I checked a few of my favourite fashion/home decor sites and found the inspiration I was seeking. With Meghan’s help, we scoured the dollar store and Wal-mart and spent a grand total of $35 on a classic dining room Christmas set up.

Here are a few different ways to dress up your table for the holiday season, including my own (nearly) finished product:

 

 With my own set up, I knew I was working with brown dishware and warm hues in wall colour and furniture, so gold decor was a safe bet but it turned out to be quite beautiful…

 

I am searching for a splash of colour that could be added with napkins or candles. . . Any suggestions?

Tiny Holiday Touches

Posted on by
4

Easy Holiday Tips, Decorating on a Budget, Christmas in a Condo, Green Holiday Ideas… these are all standard headlines that you’ll likely see plastered across home magazine covers and websites while the holiday season unfolds. I’ll reiterate shamelessly that one of the lovely things about In A Nutshell and what we choose to write is that, as the people behind our headlines, story ideas and experiments – we really live what we write. We give many things a whirl for ourselves, each other and you; sometimes we fail, sometimes we thrive and sometimes we just get to say we tried it on for size. In the case of holiday lifestyle articles like those mentioned above, we really are the young folk lacking disposable incomes, wanting to keep things simple, and maintaining cozy nooks in the city – all while still deserving (and wanting) to relish in every second of the heartwarming holiday season.

As a gal on the go who doesn’t want to drop a silly amount of cash on tasteful decorations but who’s also born the week of Christmas (and am therefore innately predisposed to having a weird obsession with all things holiday) – when the temperatures dropped, I decided it was time to deck the halls. So without investing a wad of cash and time into said hall and without the result being an over-the-top red, green, cluttered and aggressive arrangement – I set out to pursue little items here and there that would complete a subtle yet dreamy winter setting. Minimalistic additions to the living room in the form of sparkly hits of silver, “frosted” decorations, mismatched and misshaped Christmas items and lots of light were what I decided on. Less than $50 later (if you’re starting from scratch with your purchases, that’s peanuts), I ended up with what I feel is a non-chalante, inviting and classy Christmas feel.

If you live in a small condo or apartment, the best thing to do is insert tiny hints of the holidays into your existing arrangement. Without upheaving your furniture or hanging swinging ornaments and gaudy garland from every surface, try:

  • Adding an offbeat reindeer figurine to a stack of artsy books
  • Filling an elegant silver pitcher with winter greenery or trendy dishes with unfussy ornaments
  • Even just adding those few extra white candles to surfaces in your main room will do the trick
  • Lay some lanky strands of birch tree branch along your mantle with sporadic bits of garland or holly
  • Scour your flea market or local thrift store for a porcelain St. Nick figurine
  • Spray paint pine cones gold and silver
  • Simply provide the ”warm” option to your main room – a massive white knit throw, huggable patterned couch pillows or a trendy tea set and tray on the coffee table – these hints will remind your guests your heavenly home is the cure to their winter woes!

There really are endless store-bought and low-cost ways to show guests you’re ready for the season, which means there are consequently no excuses for not participating in the winter wonder. I promise that without having to drain your savings and spend a night in Tacky Tinsel Town you, like us, can fully partake in the most wonderful time of the year…in a nutshell.

Here’s what I’ve done to my 1-bedroom abode. Although combined it looks like quite a bit - when spread out all over my space, it’s the most subtle holiday feel: 



Little Spaces

Posted on by
Reply

Everything in your life has so much of your personality in it. Isn’t that neat? As much as your own behaviour and words portray who you are and what you stand for – I think it’s so fascinating to pick up on the little things about someone based on what drink they order, their CD collection, the way they like their eggs, their home, their favourite scents, etc. This is completely separate from judgement; I don’t mean sitting there and analzying someone’s childhood because they glob ketchup on their over-easies. I mean appreciating and learning about friends, acquaintances and even strangers, by simply recognizing the little quirks and collections in their life that make them so interesting. At the end of the day, as “duh” as this sounds - everyone on earth is just so interesting.

Like Kate has detailed before, one of the best ways to show your personality to those you love, is to make the display of your home an extension of who you are. A room can have so much life in it, or it can not. To all of my fellow first-of-the-month movers; the fact that we can finally unpack bits of ourselves that may have been holed up for years, and show them to everyone in new and funky ways, is very exciting.

Continue reading →

Souvenirs

Posted on by
Reply

So, I spent the better portion of the week in Toronto, T-dot, the big smoke. It was a fairly frugal trip to a pricey city, seeing as I was mainly there to work; but, I did have the chance to have some precious playtime, see old friends, and traipse what felt like all of creation on my free time. I love that city. As much as I have serious National Capital Region loyalty, I always appreciate the fast-paced spontaneity and cutting-edge lifestyle that come with such a wildly energetic metropolis. I thought I would share with you some not-so-specific accounts or anecdotes, and focus on some of the (city)life’s little treasures that I came home with in my suitcase. Here are some of the glorious little items and spots I picked up on this week – making my departure from the big city a happy one that included great new sounds, a full tummy, enlightened eyes and a barrel of memories…in a nutshell.

A breathtaking night in an up-and-coming neighbourhood, Liberty Village:

Continue reading →

DIY: Furniture Facelift

Posted on by
Reply

As most of you know, Kate and I recently moved into our first post-University apartment. Over the past month and a half, we have tirelessly worked on setting up our new place and making it feel beautiful and personalized at the same time. I can safely say, that we have gotten ourselves well situated. However, our plan is to continuously work on the place, upgrading items and decor.

Recently, I was gifted an old, wooden television stand. And while it did not match the colour scheme in our living room, it is undoubtedly sturdier than the two side tables that we have balanced our television on. Instead of compromising on colour, I decided to give this piece a facelift and make it my own.

Step 1: Prep

Wiping the unit clean with Lysol. Dust bunnies don't stand a chance!

Lie a tarp beneath the piece you plan to paint, that you don’t mind ruining. Clean the piece (I used Lysol wipes) of all dust and dirt. Dust and dirt do not react well to paint. It clumps, and won’t allow for the paint to be applied smoothly. 

Step 2: Safety First!

Yes, I look like a dweeb. But better a dweeb than a dunce. Who knows what those fumes can do!

Make sure that you invest in some form of painter’s protection. I wore sunglasses to protect my eyes, and a mask over my mouth and nose. The fumes emitted from the paint are not something that you want to breath in! 

Step 3: Choose your Paint

Thanks Krylon!

This project called for spray paint, so I headed out to the local Paint department at Walmart. I chose an All-Purpose paint that is suitable for Indoor and Outdoor jobs and a variety of surfaces. I opted for a flat paint, because I knew that I would need more than one coat. I initially purchased 2 cans (costing me a measly $9) but needed to grab a third for my final coat. If you want a gleaming finish, pick up a clear lacquer and apply once you are finished painting. 

Step 4: Paint that Piece!

Hard at work!

Let me warn you in advance, this is tedious work. For a piece to look solid black, you will need to apply 3 coats of spray paint. (Word to the wise: Unless you work out your index finger often, your hand will cramp and your painting arm will ache for 2 days.)

Spray in long smooth sprays and try to avoid overlapping the paint. If it begins to look very wet or begins to drip, you are too close. Work from one side to the other, and make sure you cover the piece in its entirety. Spray paint dries quickly, so you will be able to apply your coats back to back. When you are happy with the look of your piece, let it sit for a few hours to let the paint seal.

Et voila! A new look for an old piece! The cost of my project was $13.50, which is by far the cheapest piece of sturdy furniture I have ever owned. Instead of buying new, explore the furniture at thrift stores and garage sales. With some spray paint and a little elbow grease, someone’s trash can become your latest treasure…in a nutshell.

***My latest DIY is arriving at 414, courtesy of my personal delivery man (thanks BF!) this weekend. Check back soon for a picture of my masterpiece in its new home!

Precious Piles

Posted on by
2

Puzzled.

There’s a limit to how many blazers, jeans or T-shirts every wardrobe needs. If you’ve got the right fits and styles, your collection can last you over several seasons.  But if I were writing an essay that called for a thesis, I would argue that you can never have too many accessories. There’s no cap to the number of bangles, studs, rings or pendants one needs; from vintage finds to family gems and even that costume jewelry that gets you by, I truly believe that no one is ever completely satisfied with their collection. I’d probably cite Rachel Zoe, Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivia Palermo as my sources here.

For us apartment-jumping, city-moving, traveling, never style-compromising ladies, it can be very challenging to keep our jewels in order. Even those drawer-organizers that we were so proud to purchase are now cluttered, dirty and basically serving no purpose at all. Here comes that essay-writing again, I bring you, my solution: accessories as decor. If we’re willing to use these items to adorn our bodies, then why not have them serve a double purpose as home furnishings?

Not only will you be able show off your latest finds, but keeping your jewels in sight will force you to keep them somewhat in order. Here are some easy steps to accessory organization, with the help of my very own possessions and those small things that help me keep them presentable.

1. De-clutter:

Detangle necklaces / Group bangles

2. Hang:

Hooks from Urban Outfitters are cute and functional

Necklaces organized into: Gold / Silver / Color

3. Reinvent:

An Eiffel tower-shaped vase becomes the perfect site for stacked bangles

Vintage finds and other keepsakes make for eye-catching jewelry stands

4. Do the obvious:

A jewelry box does its job efficiently: find the perfect size and look, and it won't disappoint!

All in all, it should be second nature to keep some of our most precious pieces in safe and orderly spots, but we’re not all perfect, and we don’t always keep these things high on our priority list. If you’ve got a free afternoon, spend some time sifting through your accessories; you may just find something hidden under the dust and the lone earrings, that you never knew you had. In conclusion (final essay component), there’s nothing better than adding a bit of organization to your daily routine, and I would suspect that your styling habits will grow as a result!

If you liked this post, you’ll like this one about the girls’ jewelry boxes too. Can you tell I have a thing for accessories?  I definitely absolutely guess I do.

Apartment 414

Posted on by
3

As I am finally settling in to my new (big girl) apartment, I’m slowly figuring out the twists and turns of decorating and organizing my new pad within the limitations my landlord has set out. Sometimes it can be tricky to personalize your pad when you are “prohibited” from painting and asked “not-to-nail” frames into the concrete walls ( a fairly difficult task to accomplish, even when this prohibition is lifted).  So how can you personalize and beautify your apartment without spending a fortune or losing a lease? Although I’ve only been living at Apartment 414 for 2 weeks now, here are a few, preliminary tips I’ve picked up along the way:

1. Personalize (anyway)

When it comes to the meeting room of your apartment, don’t be afraid to display personal “artefacts” that represent who you are, where you’ve come from and what you’re about. Your home should reflect YOU, so don’t be afraid to spread your treasures further than the bedroom  and show it off in the main event: The Living Room.

• My trusty Numark • Donated to my vinyl collection by an ex-beau, bound to be playing Dylan, Sinatra . . . or Mayfeild (much to Meghan's dismay). This thing has been lugged around with me to 3 different apartments and adds a touch of old world sensibility to our otherwise Ikea-furniture filled living room.

A quarter of my collection sits right below, displaying some of the ditties I usually have turning while cooking dins or getting ready for work.

On the book shelf, I keep a little stone that is close to my heart - a sand rose. Brought back to Canada from Saudi Arabia, this little token holds more meaning than you'd think. Sweet bowl also from the Middle East and adds a nice splash of colour!

To give your apartment a personal feel, try to steer away from a commonplace collection of Ikea prints. Instead, you can incorporate art that has meaning to you. Above is an image of Marsden, a beach where I built many childhood sand castles and memories. We have it hanging in the front entrance with 3 other black and white, original prints.

2. Colour your world

If you’re renting, you’re probably bound to white-washed walls that bring down the pretty factor immensely.  To avoid this problem, incorporate a few, bright splashes throughout your apartment that catch the eye and lighten the room.

Above our fireplace, and to detract from the simple, sage green walls, we have a bright orange print that is the center of attention when you enter the apartment. In keeping with the orange splash, we have a few other tangerine touches throughout. See below.

3. Organize

Keeping your wardrobe in check, your kitchen in line and your dresser pristine can be tough to manage, especially if you are constantly on the go (like myself and fellow nuts). So why not invest in a few organizational tools to keep the messy to a minimum?

Ikea is good for some things. . . I picked up a few of these rattan "DVD" boxes at $11 a pop. You can use them for just about anything. I use them to keep my personals and tidy up my top drawer.

My jewellery has forever plagued my dresser counter tops. To avoid this wee problem I seem to encounter, I have invested in a few organizational pieces dedicated to ma' jewels. This one is for my staple pieces . . . and then some. Organization is work in progress, okay people?!

In our kitchen we went for aesthetics over functionality, but keeping pasta, cereal, flour and sugar in jars, on display is an easy and attractive way to keep away the clutter.