Refurbishing the Wicker

As I prepared for the summer last year, the hubby and I searched for some cheap wicker furniture to lounge in. We succeeded and found a four piece set. Coffee and books were enjoyed throughout the sunny days. Then it started to rain and this first time wicker owner left her outdoor furniture outside. After a short time of bad weather, the once beautiful wicker faded a shabby shade of gray. With another summer rapidly approaching I am now inspired to buy a little paint and fabric and create a whole new look. Here are my thoughts...

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What are your thoughts? Any favorites? All of your input in greatly appreciated!

Inspired: Painted Floors

I am always mentally refurbishing my future home in my mind. I fell in love with the idea of painted floors when reading Under the Sycamore. In an effort to spruce up her bedroom, she tore out the carpet and painted the sub flooring. She shared her how-to experience here. The photos on her blog show her handmade stencil and the incredible color choices she made with the surrounding furniture.

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Seeing her photos was all it took, I was hooked. As I browsed around online, I found that many people have fallen in love with rustic, bright, entrancing floors.

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They brighten a room in a way that is surprising. I particularly like when you can make out the boards beneath the paint....

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...especially when the boards where installed in a pattern.

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However, even plain sub flooring or straight boards are an incredible canvas for any pattern or shape.

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What I love the most about this is that you can rip out old carpet to find floors in terrible shape or sub flooring. Then without blinking an eye or getting an estimate to see how much hardwood would cost to install, you can buy some paint, cut out a stencil, and get to work.

Dreaming of...

photo by Amanda Mabel

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... finding a book to fall in love with the way I fell in love with the Hunger Games series. I loved those books and the characters and was truly in another place when I was reading them. I would like that feeling again.

... making curtains. There is a construction site located outside my bedroom window at this moment. For my safety, it is lit 24 hours a day. I think that I am finally convinced that how dark it is in your bedroom does effect how deeply you sleep. This past weekend I purchased fabric. I cannot wait.

... blogging about a dream come true. The mister and I went on a camping trip to Bodega Bay and stayed in a teardrop trailer! I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing escape. The romance of the teardrop was undeniable, it made everything feel like we were living lyrics to a great song.

... making horchata from scratch. Bought the ingredients and have friends coming over on Thursday. Yum.

... purchasing some Toms. I think they just might be the perfect casual shoe to wear with a skirt! Any other suggestions come to mind?

... spray painting my old wicker furniture. It looks very sad right now, but with the weather changing I am feeling inspired to freshen it up. Coral paint maybe? Teal? Inspiration board here I come.

... getting back on my bike. When it started raining I stopped biking. The sun is out and I am determined to start biking to work again.

Esty Crushes

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This typewriter made me believe in love at first sight. Gorgeous. I have been wanting a typewriter for a long time, but don't have the room. Not to mention that the amount I would find myself using it can't quite justify the cost, but oh my... so hard to resist this one. The color of the keys alone... Brooklyn Retro has some incredible pieces. I would take this one home in a hot second as well.

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I have never been a huge cuff link fan, but I think these may have converted me. Adorable and available from Nat in NYC.

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So... I love dress forms. I do not actually make clothing... yet, but I love dress forms. There is something about them that I find so artful and inviting. This beauty is from Painted Cottages.

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Stacking rings have always caught by eye, but I am particularly fond on this one from Minty Fresh Fusions. So romantic...

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I'm a little bit in love with this clock made from hand embroidered felt from asial. It is so whimsical. It is on the short list for my future child's room... luck kid.