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How to Upholster Bench Corners

<center><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8440-1.jpg" /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Remember the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/spotted-bench-in-works.html" target="_blank">not-so-vintage bench</a> I was going to reupholster in the spotted leather? I finished it before we went on vacation. I used my favorite corner method and thought I'd share. It's an easy approach.</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5170-1.jpg" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">First I laid out the hide to figure out the pattern placement.</center><center><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5639.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I used these new AMAZING <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VYOISU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000VYOISU&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">heavy-duty scissors</a> to cut the edges of the piece and make a clean, straight edge.</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5650.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You want about three inches of overhang with bench tops or drop seats for chairs. It's enough fabric for you to be able to pull nice and tight, but there won't be leftovers peeking out from underneath.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5655.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I like to stagger staples in two lines, one about an inch set in from the edge and the second line running along the inside edge of the fabric.</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5653.jpg" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">Once all four edges have been stapled (don't forget to pull very tight!), it's time to tackle the corners. There are a few different ways to approach corners, but this way there are almost no folds or bunching (which is tricky especially with thicker fabric and leathers).</center><center></center><center><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5658.jpg" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">You just bring the fabric or leather together in the corner and run staples in lines on either side of the fabric, at a 45 degree angle. Leave about an inch or so loose without staples near the outside edge of the corner.</center><center></center><center></center><center><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5662.jpg" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">Using heavy duty scissors, cut the fabric or leather very close to the staples, but stop cutting right at the corner.</center><center></center><center></center><center><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5665.jpg" /></center><center><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then trim the edges down so that the flap still connected to the corner is about two inches wide.</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5666.jpg" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">Then pull the flap very tight and lay it down and staple it on top of the other staples you put in at a 45 degree angle.</center><center><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5668.jpg" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">If you have been pulling tight the whole time, the flap will lay very flat and the corner will be very smooth and professional looking.</center><center><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5669.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All finished! I love this spotted hide so much more than the taupe velvet.</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/77DSC_0004.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">See just the two tiny folds on either side of the corner? If I had just pulled and stapled around the corners like most upholstery jobs call for, there would be all sorts of bunching and really heavy-looking corners. This method makes the fabric lay almost as flat as sewing the corners (which is a pain to me).</div><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/77DSC_0020.jpg" /></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;">PS The winner for the Jessie Mackay painting give away was chosen and she was emailed, so please check your inboxes! As soon as I hear back from her I'll update the post. Thanks for entering!</center><center></center><center></center><center><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/jennyjessiemackay.jpg" /></center>

How to Upholster Bench Corners

Remember the not-so-vintage bench I was going to reupholster in the spotted leather? I finished it before we went on vacation. I used my fa...

2:30 AM

Copy Cat Design: Caitlin Wilson's Dining Room

<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Colleen is on fire - I love seeing what she is up to on </span><a href="http://blog.therecomesayes.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;" target="_blank">There Comes A Yes</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">. Also, did you hear that she is now the head graphic designer for <a href="http://www.lonny.com/" target="_blank">Lonny</a>? She is so talented and I feel really lucky that she works with me! She's joining us today with a copy cat version of a room designed by another lovely friend, </span><a href="http://caitlinwilsondesign.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;" target="_blank">Caitlin Wilson</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">. Here's Colleen:</span><br /><div class="ii gt adP adO" id=":3pw" style="background-color: white; margin: 5px 15px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; z-index: 2;"><div id=":3pv" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div id=":3pv" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/caitlinwilsondiningroom.jpg" /></span></div><div id=":3pv" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div id=":3pv" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">I really love Caitlin Wilson's dining room in the July issue of <a href="http://matchbookmag.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Matchbook</a>. It's a pretty mix of traditional and feminine pieces!</div><div id=":3pv" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div id=":3pv"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/cc-caitlinwilson.jpg" /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">1. <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/Laura-Ashley-Lighting-Ava-Table-Lamp-with-Taylor-Shade-in-Pink-SLC31013-BTP411-LAY1030.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Laura Ashley Ava Table Lamp with Taylor Shade; Wayfair, $115</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">It's pink, but the shape isn't overtly girly, so it works well in a dining room.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">2. <a href="http://us.farrow-ball.com/cabbage-white/colours//fcp-product/100269" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Cabbage White paint; Farrow & Ball</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">A fresh, light wash of blue on the walls enhances the navies and pinks.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">3. <a href="http://www.theteapotshoppe.com/yellow-dynasty-teapot.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Yellow Dynasty Teapot; The Teapot Shoppe, $35</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Chintz makes me happy. That's all.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">4. <a href="http://gallery-lighting.amazonwebstore.com/French-Empire-Crystal-Chandelier-Lighting-H30/M/B004J54698.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=froogle" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">French Empire Crystal Chandelier; Gallery Lighting, $297</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">A very traditional and formal chandelier--it's best paired with a mix of furniture styles.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">5. <a href="http://www.orientalfurniture.com/oriental-furniture/BW-FLOWER-BWFL.html?Category_Code=blue-white-porcelain" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Porcelain Flower Pot; Oriental Furniture, $39</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">To stuff with hydrangeas, of course.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">6. <a href="http://www.theparisapartment.com/boutique/index.php?p=99" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Lucite Square Knob; The Paris Apartment, $34</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Dress up a run-of-the-mill buffet with glam lucite knobs.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">7. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80116596/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Liatorp sideboard; Ikea, $350</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">A basic sideboard perfect for customization.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">8. <a href="http://www.art.com/products/p12916296129-sa-i6413305/claude-monet-monet-bordighera-1884.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=0&ui=500a6b3652df4ec580b1f30bb5227c38&searchstring=monet+bordighera" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">"Bordighera" by Monet in Parma frame 37"x31"; Art.com, $245</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Scour church garage sales, thrift stores, and fleas for a framed oil painting--you'll get the best deal!</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">9. <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Karges-French-Regency-Dining-Table-w-3-Leaves-/160795203440?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item2570241770#ht_1307wt_1110" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Karges French Regency Dining Table; Ebay, $1595</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Rarely can you go wrong with a vintage dining set. If you're searching Ebay or Craigslist, try adding "regency" to your search terms.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">10. <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/chandler-caned-high-back-chair/chairs/dining-chairs/229459?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=1" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Chandler Caned High Back Chair; Ballard Designs, $299</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">To get that Regency look, search for high back chairs and caning.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">11. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50223692/#/00160036" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Sofia Fabric in Dark Blue; Ikea, $8/yard</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Upholster the dining chairs in a navy and white/cream stripe!</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">12. <a href="http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Grant_Wing_Back_Chair/130/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Grant Wing Back Chair; Home Decorators, $900</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Use wing back chairs as host chairs--it breaks up the matchy-matchy look of a dining set.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">13. <a href="http://www.caitlinwilsontextiles.com/?p=product&sku=1001&d=1&pre=p!category%7Cc!fabric%7Cpatt!%7Cs!%7Cfabric!" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Navy Fleur Chinoise Fabric; Caitlin Wilson Textiles, $60/yard</a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Tie the room together perfectly with this floral fabric.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></div><div class="yj6qo" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"></div></div></div><div class="hq gt" id=":3q7" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 15px 0px;"></div>

Copy Cat Design: Caitlin Wilson's Dining Room

Colleen is on fire - I love seeing what she is up to on There Comes A Yes . Also, did you hear that she is now the head graphic designer for...

2:30 AM

Making Curtains Out of Drop Cloths

Using canvas drop cloths from the hardware store is a super economical way to make thick, light-filtering curtains. There is magic happening in the interwebs, and all sorts of creative bloggers have come up with great methods for jazzing up the panels - paint, dye, trim, you name it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2550_101675295.jpg" /></div><br />Check out a lovely assortment of links and ideas for drop cloths <a href="http://www.bhg.com/blogs/better-homes-and-gardens-style-blog/2012/07/24/using-drop-cloths-for-curtains/" target="_blank">HERE</a> on my latest post for the Better Homes and Gardens blog.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2550_101587231.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>images via BHG</i><br /><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: left;"><i>PS Remember <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-decorate-bedroom-in-week.html" target="_blank">this project</a> we used drop cloths for? </i></div></div>

Making Curtains Out of Drop Cloths

Using canvas drop cloths from the hardware store is a super economical way to make thick, light-filtering curtains. There is magic happening...

11:03 AM

Upholstered Chair Legs

Right before we left to go out of town, I stopped into one of my favorite stores, <a href="http://shop.canvashomestore.com/" target="_blank">Canvas</a>, to pick up some glassware for a shoot. While I was there I fell in love with this <a href="http://shop.canvashomestore.com/collections/upholstery/products/pilmlico-bedroom-chair" target="_blank">petite wingback chair</a>.<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2IMG_5620.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We need a pair of very narrow armchairs in the brownstone. I'm <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-bergere-chairs.html" target="_blank">planning to use these bergeres</a> right now, but there's a chance they'll be just a hair too wide and not nearly deep enough for the long living room (we'll just have to see once we get in there next week). But these narrow and deep armchairs from Canvas just might be perfect for the space. (and how pretty would bright red pillows be on the blush pink linen?!)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2IMG_5621.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The price on these is not that great, but maybe I could find something vintage with similar proportions? I think I'm mostly just crazy for the upholstered legs! What a great look (and something I could totally DIY).</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/2IMG_5623.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div>

Upholstered Chair Legs

Right before we left to go out of town, I stopped into one of my favorite stores, Canvas , to pick up some glassware for a shoot. While I wa...

9:14 AM

Gray's Rock Shop

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5770copy.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend my brothers and sisters and their families have been together at my parent's home in Snowflake, Arizona. After we were all burnt out from the lake, we decided to take a little day trip to Gray's Rock Shop in Holbrook near the Petrified Wood Forest. It was the <i>coolest</i> place, full of the most incredible gems and rocks. Mother Nature really knows how to put together a color palette!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5793-1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I loved these crystals that looked like a cityscape.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5772.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wearstler-esque petrified wood stump chair and gorgeous mollusk fossils.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5795.jpg" /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5788.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The shop had the most beautiful agate all over the place. This little bowl was full of pieces already banded in gold and ready for stringing on a chain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5836.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5777.jpg" /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5771.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted these petrified wood bookends so, so bad!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5807.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5774.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5773.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5787.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Malachite boxes and trinkets were everywhere!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5837.jpg" /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5813.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5827.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They also had an awesome selection of brass and acrylic pieces for displaying your rocks. I liked these petal-shaped ones.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5819.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The girls helped me pick out this pretty piece of petrified wood and the minty green crystal to take home with us to NYC next week. I'm so crazy about the colors! And aren't the brass and acrylic stands great?  It will be fun to have little souvenirs of this trip and reminders of our old home in our new home.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>PS Did you know petrified wood is estimated to be between 50 and 200 million years old! Amazing.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5846.jpg" /></div>

Gray's Rock Shop

This weekend my brothers and sisters and their families have been together at my parent's home in Snowflake, Arizona. After we were all ...

2:30 AM

Hello from the lake!

Hello from the lake!

We flew to Arizona earlier this week and we've been busy in full-blown vacation mode since. Today's our last day at the lake. We are...

9:32 AM

Give Away: Abstract Painting by Jessie Mackay

Michael and I have a goal of bringing more art into our home over the next couple of years. I've mentioned before how it can be a little daunting to know where to start looking for artists. But have you ever been searching, and then all at once an artist's collection or piece of art just sings to you? Your heart is doing backflips and your mind is racing? That happens to me a lot in museums, where I feel a connection with an artist, but it's (obviously!) harder to find that in the art market in a real and affordable way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/JENNYGIVEAWAYJESSIEMACKAY.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>I'm so, so thrilled to share today's (HUGE) give away from acclaimed artist and philanthropist, <a href="http://jessiemackay.com/" target="_blank">Jessie Mackay</a>, and artist who makes my heart sing. Her work has been praised by NYT art critics and hangs in celebrity homes (check out her paintings in James Carville and Mary Matalin's home featured in <a href="http://www.jessiemackay.com/pages/press" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a>). Here are a few of my favorites currently available on <a href="http://jessiemackay.com/" target="_blank">Jessie's site</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/JENNYSFAVESJESSIEMACKAYART.jpg" /></div><br />Today she is generously offering up this 24x30 gallery-wrapped abstract painting called 'Soft Thoughts.'<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/77DSC_0016.jpg" /></div><br />Here are some close ups of this lovely painting, just sitting in my loft, waiting to be shipped to your home!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/77DSC_0027.jpg" /></div><br />I love the bits of bright, almost neon paint peeking through the soft grays and creams.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/77DSC_0010.jpg" /></div><br />Lucky you, there are a couple of ways to enter your name into the pot. <span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">1) Simply leave a comment on this post sharing where you would hang 'Soft Thoughts' in your home.  2) Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/JessieMackayArt" target="_blank">Jessie Mackay Art</a> on Facebook and leave a comment on this post saying so. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">3) Pin your favorite Jessie Mackay art from her site and leave a comment on this post saying so.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>The winner will be chosen at random from the comments here on July 25 at midnight. Good luck!<br /><br />****CONGRATS TO WINNER JAMIE LUNT! THANK YOU ALL FOR ENTERING****

Give Away: Abstract Painting by Jessie Mackay

Michael and I have a goal of bringing more art into our home over the next couple of years. I've mentioned before how it can be a little...

8:52 AM

DIY Agate Trash Bin

I fell in love with this <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/home-shopping/articles/pacific-connections-wastebasket" target="_blank">$190 trash bin</a> featured in the June 2012 Elle Decor, but I figured I could make my own. I finally got around to doing the project this weekend using a $3 Target plastic trash bin that I randomly saw at a thrift store.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/JennyKomendaDIYAgateTrashBin.jpg" /></div><br />I actually had bought a round bin for this project a few weeks ago, but realized after the fact that the project really only works on bins with squared off sides, or else there's no fooling anyone that that marbleized paper <span style="background-color: white;">could be real sheets of agate.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5610.jpg" /></span></div><br />I bought the paper from <a href="http://www.papermojo.com/Pirouette-Marbled-Paper--Turquoise-Apricot-Raspberry_p_2947.html" target="_blank">Paper Mojo</a> for about $5 ages ago and <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-is-coming.html" target="_blank">used it in a frame for a while</a>, which was pretty, but I was fine with giving it up for this project.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/DSC_0158.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When you're ready to get started, look at your piece of marbled paper (I only needed one sheet for my whole trash bin), and figure out which pieces of the pattern you want to feature. Keep in mind that it looks best if you can alternate the direction of the swirl on each side of the bin.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5672.jpg" /> <img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5674.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Use just a pencil to trace out the sides while holding the bin perfectly still. Cut out the pattern directly on the pencil line. Your cut pieces will end up being a hair to big, which is just what you want - a little overhang.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5678.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Use a soft brush to put down a layer of Mod Podge (no need to prime or sand first - just a clean surface) and then carefully lay the paper piece down. The top edge of the paper should be perfectly flush with the top edge of the trash bin, but the three other sides should have a little overhang.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5675.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When the top edge is perfectly centered, use your hand to smooth out the paper. Make sure there are no air bubbles. It's okay if there is a little mod podge spillage on the sides, that actually helps the extra paper on the side lay flat.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5680.jpg" /> <img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5683.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't forget to crease the bottom edge under too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5681.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I let the pieces dry for an hour or two and then I sealed it all with a top coat of mod podge.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One lesson I learned for next time: use a light or white trash bin. The paper is pretty thin, so my finished project is a little blotchy with the black base peeking through. A white base would have been clear and bright though. Bummer.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/JENNYAGATETRASHBIN.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Still love it though and am glad I tried the DIY route and saved the $190! Plenty of other places to spend that money these days. :)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/JENNYDIYAGATETRASHBIN.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">PS If you love marbleized paper <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/02/marbleized-paper.html" target="_blank">as much as I do...</a></div></div>

DIY Agate Trash Bin

I fell in love with this $190 trash bin featured in the June 2012 Elle Decor, but I figured I could make my own. I finally got around to do...

2:30 AM

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Give Away: Abstract Painting by Jessie Mackay

DIY Agate Trash Bin

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