Craigslist Window Shopping

It's been a while since I shared with you some of the wonders that Craigslist has to offer, and there certainly are some awesome finds currently here in the Boston area.

At $200, this Mid Century Modern Motorola Insta-matic corner unit is certainly not a steal, but not a ridiculous price either.  The seller here was very smart and suggested this be reworked into a corner bar.  I think I'd be sad to see the tv go, but the shape of it is what really charms me anyway- like those legs, hubba hubba!

Can someone please go buy these Safari chairs?  I don't need them, have no place for them, and they aren't particularly my style, but for that price, someone needs to rescue them and put them in an amazing room.  Looks like they could use reuphostering or at the very least a DEEP clean, but these guys are just chic.  Emily Henderson could work magic with these chairs!

These are not normally what I gravitate to, but I can totally picture this set (reupholstered to match) sitting around a rather traditional wooden dining table with turned legs.  The chrome and curves would be such an unexpected juxtaposition next to a table like that, but I know it would be amazing.  Six for $300 makes them $50 a piece which is actually pretty reasonable before you factor in reupholstery.

Now THIS is what I'm usually drawn to, and I really really wish I had a storage unit for these guys.  That way I could hoard them away until I had the right room, client, or project.  I hope they don't go to waste, it might make me cry.  For $150, you get the sofa, loveseat and 2 chairs!  Although I'd break up the set, that is an a.maz.ing. deal.  I think the buttons on the cushions may be my favorite part.  Hubby's favorite part would be the carved wood (amIright?).

And speaking of what I'm drawn to- I'm working really hard to resist this (because I really don't need it), but how cute is this old cabinet??  I can pretty much guarantee you that it was an old ironing board cabinet that was converted with shelves.  Adorable.  I even love the gray.  Not for this house though, maybe next house.

Did someone say ironing?  I had no idea that this even existed- an iron board bench!  Color me entertained.  $100 sounds like a decent deal for something so unexpected!

I'd better step away from Craigslist now, before I end up stumbling across something that I really can't walk away from.  After a kitchen renovation, my wallet should to take a bit of a vacation.

Have you found any gems (or just ridiculous postings) on Craigslist lately?  I'd love to hear all about it!

A Finished Kitchen!

Before I show you the final result of the kitchen, let me remind you where it was a few months ago (which is still a marked improvement from when we moved in)

I designed nothing in here because it felt like a losing battle against poor quality cabinets and finishes that just weren't us.

Until now.

I never thought these words would escape my mouth, but the kitchen is now my favorite room in the house.  (That doesn't mean I'll start cooking though)

I gave the room a fresh coat of paint, we replaced the cabinets and lighting, reused our previous countertops, and added a tile backsplash.  As one of my favorite completing things in the room- the backsplash was extremely cost-effective, coming in at only $150 total!

With just a few simple and relatively low cost accessories, the kitchen finally feels complete.

As a bonus, the added cabinets have now allowed us to hide away the microwave, trash, recycling, and all the other ugly stuff that cluttered up the room before.

Even with the bumps we hit in this project, I'm so happy with the results!

So, tell me, what do you think?  Is it what you were expecting to see?  Better? (I hope)  Any tips on photographing a room that gets bright direct morning sun and bright indirect afternoon sun?

Faux Sure

Sorry for starting off the post with a really bad pun (I'm really not sorry) but it's been stuck in my head the entire time I was putting this project together. Faux roman shades! and the last kitchen teaser post before the big reveal Friday!

Why are they faux?  Well, they don't actually work like shades- they just sit there and look pretty.  Tough job.

So, how did we get here?

When last we visited the kitchen windows, they were naked.

I knew I wanted to soften the windows a bit with fabric, but functional shades just aren't necessary here.  I googled a bunch of faux shade tutorials and then did what I do best- made it up as I went along.

I started by cutting my fabric and a piece of liner to the proper size.

To line, I faced the good sides in and sewed 3 sides leaving the top open like a pillowcase.  Turn right side out and iron.

Then comes the fun part- figuring out where the folds go.  I ended up folding the bottom up for a softer edge and adding only one additional fold.

I started by pinning the folds, and tacked them into place with a needle and thread once I settled on them.  I sewed from the back and didn't go through the front layer of fabric, so you'll never see the stitches.

I folded the top, unfinished end over until the shade was the height that worked best for the windows.  I didn't even bother to cut off the excess or finish it, since this will be hidden once installed.  And since I have windowS above the sink and not just one, rinse, repeat.

This fabric isn't as regular as a pattern as it seems at first glance, so getting it straight and even from shade to shade was a challenge.

Install was probably the quickest part of this process.  I used a pvc trim piece that I already had, cut it to the desired width and nailed the new shades into place.

As you can see, the trim piece is hidden under the fabric and will never be seen.

Viola!  Such a simple project, but it totally helps the room feel more complete.

Do you recognize this fabric from our dining room?  Once I brought the extra fabric into the new kitchen, I knew it needed to be in here instead- the colors work perfectly!  The purple ties in the dining room, and the grays pick up the green kitchen walls.  You can probably guess what that means for the dining room- chair recovering in the near future!

Have I inspired you to try faux roman shades?  Or have I just tortured you with another kitchen teaser and you're ready to jump through the computer and make me post the finished kitchen?

 **update** check out the finished kitchen HERE