Swap: Eclectic Tray

Let's Swap it Like it's HOT!

No matter how much I try to plan, Swap Day always seems to creep up on me!  Confused about what I'm talking about?  Swap it Like it's Hot is a fun thrift/diy swap between a bunch of amazing bloggers.  We head to the thrift store with a budget of around $10 and then we send our finds to someone else for them to re-envision, transform, DIY, or generally make awesome.  This is my 4th time participating in this diy extravaganza organized by Charlotte of Ciburbanity.  Check out my previous Swap It projects: Dipped Art & Plant Holder, Rustic Lamp, & Book Planter.

This time around, I was sent thrifted goodies from Erin Spain and I have to admit, she had me pretty stumped for a bit!  She sent me a basket with ducks on it, a "wood" plaque, a white pot, and 2 small metal trays.  For quite a while I was trying to figure out how I could transform, combine, or reinvent one or more of these pieces.

Finally an idea clicked so I decided to give it a shot!  I left the ducks out of this project- maybe I'll paint the basket in the future, but not today... Sorry ducks!!  My plan was to combine the trays, plaque and planter into one collage of a tray.  Not the most remarkable reuse, but I think the pieces ended up looking a bit better in the end!

I started by taking the tab off the top of the wood plaque (which was sadly laminate, not a real wood that I could stain), and taking the handles off of both little trays.  I covered it with blue tape so that I could mark where I needed to drill- 4 holes on each side for 2 sets of handles and a 4" hole for the plant pot to sit in.

After all the holes were in place, I quickly sanded the surface with a high grit sandpaper, and wiped it down with a sander/deglosser.  Then came spray primer and paint!

And let me assure you, everything was done with the proper safety precautions.  I'm not getting this kid high on spray paint fumes!

After the paint was dry, I used super glue in the small holes to affix the handles in place, and added felt pads to the bottom.

I admit, this isn't my favorite swap result of all time, but I am pleased with the way the double brass handles look on the silver sprayed tray.  It would be totally cute on a night stand holding a glass of water and chapstick, or on a coffee table to help corral remote controls, don't you think?

Now please run, don't walk, and check out what Amanda at Prim and Propah did with the goodies that I sent her!  What would you create with these items?

The fun's not over yet!  Check out all the AMAZING transformations that have been happening ALL WEEK!  I haven't had a chance to check them all out myself yet, but the ones that I have will blow you away!!

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MONDAY

Ciburbanity

Windgate Lane

Vin'yet Etc.

Casa Watkins Living

One Mile Home Style

TUESDAY

Reinvented

ConfettiStyle

Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer

Addicted 2 DIY

Restoration Redoux

I Am a Homemaker

Maggie Overby Studios

PMQ For Two

WEDNESDAY

Two Thirty-Five Designs

58 Water Street

Create & Babble

Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

Gourley Girl and Guy

The Charming Farmer

THURSDAY

This is our Bliss

Southern State of Mind

Two Purple Couches

My Life From Home

FRIDAY

Erin Spain

Copper Dot Interiors

Prim and Propah

Sweet Tea Refinishing

Eveys Creations

On Fern Avenue

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DanceFit Reveal!

A few months ago, I introduced you to DanceFit Studio and the new location that we were giving a facelift to.  Well, I'm pleased to say that the new studio has been up and running for about a month and a half and we finally were able to have a photoshoot and get some sweet pictures to share with you!  I'll give you a minute to pop back to my post about the design plans, so you can see what the ideas were for the space.  Now go ahead and tell me that you wouldn't want to take fitness classes here or be a little kid on your tippy toes at ballet class...  

It was pretty far from this to start with.  It was originally an auto garage that had been converted into a karate studio with the worst colors and stained carpeting that you could pretty much imagine.  Trust me when I say that carpet was much worse in person.

We were working within a budget so we made sure that the first things we spent on were the floor and the mirrors since those make the most impact in a dance studio.  From there, it was about making things functional and adding a touch of glamour throughout.  My personal favorite view, and what seems to be the general consensus's favorite view as well, is these vintage theater chairs with floor to ceiling curtains.  I found the chairs at a local vintage shop and used IKEA curtains sewn together to create color-blocked curtains that were tall enough for the 12 foot+ ceilings.

On the other side of the room we got creative with storage, using IKEA's Kallax cubbies to house most of the small fitness equipment including hand weights, yoga blocks, stretching bands, and pound sticks as well as supplies for the kids classes.  Using a light gray box painted on the wall, we were able to give designated area for client achievements and tracking classes.  They offer some fun incentives for reaching class number milestones- I'm only one class away from 50 classes this year and earning my sparkly headband! #littlewins

In between the studio and lobby, we installed a glass sliding door to give a little bit of privacy to the studio while still allowing parents to watch the pirouettes of their little ones.

The lobby sets the tone for the space once you enter with an eclectic, but relaxed vibe.  Function was key in this entire project and the lobby was no different.  It needed to accommodate waiting parents, kids coloring at the large coffee table, and be flexible enough to be moved around for birthday parties or other events.  I'm so glad Gina, DanceFit's owner fell as much in love with the Letterboard as I did.  She needed a place to make announcements about pop up classes, special events, and general studio goings on.  I swear, every time I come in, she's switched it up already- I've created a monster.  Well, I guess I awoke the monster in myself too, because after seeing this stellar board in person, I just knew I need to get one for myself (did you see it in yesterday's big announcement post??)

Check out DanceFit's website for their full list of adult fitness classes, virtual online classes, and kids dance classes.  I personally recommend the BalletFit, Zumba, Pilates and Pound!  See you at the barre!

Photos taken by the talented Joyelle West Photography.

Disclaimer: some sources below may contain affiliate links.  Shopping through these links will be at no additional cost to you, however will help support my design addiction so I can keep sharing it with you. XOXO

Sources:

Lobby- desk from World Market, sign board from Letterfolk, shelves from Wayfair, folding chairs from IKEA, rug from RugsUSA, Curtains from IKEA, & custom coffee table by Mauricio Woodworking

Studio- vinyl flooring from Lumber Liquidators, vintage theater chairs from Robject's D'art, curtains from IKEA (sewed together for color-blocked effect), yoga mat basket from World Market, fitness storage from IKEA, barn door hardware from Amazon, & salvaged door from Habitat for Humanity ReStore Worcester

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Under Construction

Hey look, I'm still here!  I've been burying my head in design client projects lately while we've been waiting to hear about the short sale flip (which we're STILL waiting on btw, supposedly we should know in 5 days, fingers crossed!) and I have neglected DIY projects and sadly you guys.  I came back from Haven bursting with ideas for projects and posts, but I got a bit derailed when I saw 2 pink lines.  That's right, part of the reason I've been MIA lately is that I have a very different kind of construction project going on- our biggest one yet!  

Copper Dot Baby should be arriving mid-April and Hubby and I couldn't be more excited!  I'm coming out of the first trimester fog with renewed energy (most days) and pent up motivation to get ALL the things, projects and designs done.

That means lots of projects I want to get done before April, (hopefully) an amazing flip over the cooler months, AND a super fun nursery design will be coming your way!  The only downside is that I'll be giving up my office for this little babe, but I have a feeling it will be more than worth it.  Luckily as I was doing my office design last year, I knew it would ultimately turn into a nursery, so the wall color and rug will most likely be staying as is.  I MAY have already Criaglisted my dream crib which we'll need to buy a new mattress for- *affiliate link- see below for more info* Stokke Sleepi Crib in White.  Awesome crib for less than half the cost?  Yes please!!

Oh, and did I forget to mention that thanks to the miracles of modern science, not only do we know that this babe is at a low risk for lots of bad stuff, we also know the gender already!

As if this news wasn't exciting enough after some blog silence, I have the project reveal of DanceFit Studio coming to you tomorrow AND the latest round of Swap It Like It's Hot on Friday!  Like I said- renewed energy and motivation.  Let's do this!

Disclaimer: some sources above may contain affiliate links.  Shopping through these links will be at no additional cost to you, however will help support my design addiction so I can keep blogging about it. XOXO

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