Master Wall Project

So today I went nutso on my master bedroom wall. I had these images dancing in my head all night long and barely slept a wink. I was bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6am (which is rare for little ol' me-especially with the midnight feedings consuming my nights and totally losing out on that beauty rest) filled to the brim with excitement about my little weekday project on this fine Wednesday.

Not only are shoes and handbags a bit of a "problem" for me but also hats and scarves. I simply cannot get enough. In my profession...errr obsession...its the marriage between a functional and fun to look at. I like organization and beauty! I'm a marriage counselor no less. Listening to both sides, weighing the options, taking some notes, and finding a common ground. In this case---wall!

Our house is not small, but it's not fully equipped with adequate storage space or any built-ins that I could incorporate my love for say ... handbags, shoes, scarves, hats, etc, etc. into easily. So? We make art-esque pieces while supplying the storage space for an easy, eye pleasing solution.

I started by hanging curtains on the window. No window is dressed to impress without proper attire. It's a double rod so eventually I will incorporate my accent color in a couple panels on the back rod, only exposing enough for that added pop of color. In the meantime the neutral shade does wonders for the window, covers the mini blinds :/ and adds that perfect ambient lighting to take the bedroom from simple to sexy!

Then I hung a square (rectangular if you want to get picky) woven basket on the left side to house my nicely rolled scarves. The scarves were always "housed" in this basket. That's another one of my "problems" that I can't seem to get enough of. I have baskets for absolutely everything. They are on top of counters filled with freshly pressed linens for guests, lining the stairs leading to our family room filled with books for any occasion, placed in cabinets to hold assorted tea bags and/or spices that weren't purchases in plastic or glass bottles, on shelves in my bathroom to fill with beauty products, in my linen closet to store my perfectly folded pillowcases...you get the picture I'm painting right? I'm no Picasso nor Van Gogh but I am tHiS close to cutting my fucking ear off and calling it a damn day!

So?!.. woven basket hung on wall, filled with scarves. Got it?

Then I took these tin pieces I had lying about, attached a couple hooks to the bottom, hung them on the opposing side of the window to hang my collection of hats. Nothing is as good as being able to hang your hat (on a hook no less) after a hard days night.

I stood back, examined the masterpiece, looking for some tweaking needing to be done. My husband walked in, stopped in his tracks and said, "Wow! I love it!" :)

I'm not completely finished up quite yet. I added a cute shelf underneath the tins (also made of a metal material-so it looks fantastic). I added a basket on top (go figure right) for some belts and whatnots I have still boxed up just begging me to find them a warm place to crash. The juxtaposition between the hard, cold feel of metal and the woven, homey feel of the baskets really satisfies this design diva. I like mixing old with new, soft with hard, rough with smooth to make an eclectic and warm surrounding.

I'll put some of my favorite reading material and other gizmo's and gadget's to complete the look but I haven't got there quite yet. I'm certain I'll stumble across something spectacular as I'm shopping for those accent window treatments for the double rod.

Btw..side note..I don't even believe in single rods much any longer. Don't get me wrong, a single is better than nothing at all. However, I find the double rod adds that layered look I'm always referring to and makes it so simple to add that pop of color behind any neutral. It's perfect.

And my art would not be complete without adding my signature :) While spacing off in Industrial Tech class what seems to be decades ago, I found some thin wire somewhere and instead of paying attention, I managed to form my name in cursive and even more surprisingly, have managed to keep track of this dainty little piece for so very long. I think it found it's place in this house.

Now if I could figure out what to do with all these shoes and handbags.

Tidbit Tuesday :: bedside table decor

Let's not forget that not only is our bedroom our private place but it should be a place to unwind and wash away worries of the day.

Your bedside tables (and your dresser) is an area to display your favorite personal things.

I like to shop in unexpected departments to find unique pieces that I can use in different areas of my home, in an unconventional way.

Perhaps finding a vintage plate or serving platter from the dining department to nestle neatly on your bedside table to hold any jewelry being discarded at the end of your day is an idea you could implement.
Just like before, I've come up with a list of items for your bedside table.

5 essentials to your bedside table:

- a nice reading lamp
It can be clean and simple within a neutral shade (no pun intended) or something a bit more radical to introduce flavor and spice

- a couple books for reading
Nothing says comfort and casual like snuggling into your bed, wrapped in down and luxury and grabbing a good read before beddy bye

- a tray, plate, a lid to a box
Something to hold loose ends discarded from your pockets, wrists, or neck to neatly nestle by your side. Anything will work so long as you enjoy it and it serves the purpose.

- a carafe and glass for water
Fill the carafe each night with cold distilled or sparkling water (whichever you prefer) for those middle of the night thirst bursts. We could all stand to drink more water. Not only does it cleanse every part of our body from the inside out, it's refreshing, nourishing, and detoxifying.

-candles
Go crazy! Tea lights, tapered, pillar, scented, soy based, white, bold colored, big, small, short or tall. Light, set the mood, and enjoy! (Lather, Rinse, Repeat). It's amazing what a couple of lit candles can do for any mood.


And as I've stated before, objects in 3's gain more impact. Whether be it books or candies. Think in Three :)

Now: I didn't add this to my list but I think it goes without saying. Fresh flowers in a beautiful vase adds life to any corner of a drab bedroom and will also make the place smell fresh. If you enjoy fresh flowers the way I do, pick some up and place accordingly. Even if it's not an everyday ritual, it could certainly be a routine on special occasions.


For more ideas stay tuned for a never ending supply of home tips, tricks, and everyday topics. And if you need advice, I'm always available.

Thanks for stopping by.

Millard Moving Madness

I'm sitting quietly on the carpeted floor in our lower level living room with a small dog at my side (always so loyal and loving) and a mind that is stacked with thoughts like my garage with boxes. I am surrounded by peace and quiet. Two of my most favorite companions ... that don't visit nearly enough.

The entire Mavropoulos household sleeps snuggled in warm beds and mama is busy getting everything neatly organized for the grind tomorrow that never seems to cease. Not only do we mothers never get a sick day but we are also responsible for knowing where every little "important" object be at any given time during a move that any member of the family might inquire of at any given time. "Mom?!.. Where's that purple pencil that smells like grape? It was with my socks I threw in my bedroom on the floor on the Thursday before the move?!...All the while standing there like they should have hands on hips, tapping a foot on the floor, checking their watch to time my mommy searching skills, always sizing me up. I'm freaking exhausted. Then snow?! It was 74*F yesterday. Winter jackets were the least on my mind to be quite frank. So today I'm THAT mom that dropped off Jaxon to school in what could have been mistaken for summer-esque attire praying a recess break is completely out if the question. (Growing up in Nebraska, I should've known better) Tsk Tsk to me!

So...

We're back at home. The house in Millard I've blogged about in the past and compared our family to the waves and the house to the shore, we're always moving in and back out it seems.

We're here for good [[fingers crossed -as well as toes]] and everyone is happy about it. I remain full of peace and optimism. We need roots for these children to continually be able to branch out and blossom and that's exactly why we are here once again.

I find myself more happy about it now than before. I am unpacking boxes like a professional box unpacking machine. Whoever packed them must have been a bit OCD (and perhaps even making her way through the nesting period) Each one packed with precision inside, everything carefully wrapped in newspaper or maneuvered in such a way you'd truly think I was a professional. I've moved so much I've gotten pretty good at it. But I don't pride myself on the moving part, it's the "setting up shop" part I find so intriguing. Every box with handwritten tags stating the contents inside and which room it should be shown toward. It's so easy and THAT is the reason for 2 months before moving I was harping on my husband to get moving supplies. Things like this take tact and organization so our lives can be put back together in a timely fashion. Men just don't get anything tactful, organizational, and they surely are not concerned about time let alone doing it fashionably.

I'm unpacking things as if this first snow of the season is actually freshly fallen for Christmas and Santa just came and brought me all sorts of the "goods". And with the chill in the house that this fully charged November has brought to us, it resembles the holiday quite nicely. A hot cup of tea, candles lit, pandora app playing my "Tears for Fears" station (that I wouldn't openly admit) continuously dancing around to like a small school child. Life is perfect! (at this very instance) :)

I'm so super ecstatic about getting the home settled properly during the next couple cold weeks. I'm making mental notes and physical sketches of ideas that are playing through my head at a constant stream like these 80's tunes coming out of the ol' iPhone.

I'm finding new and inventive ways to get everything nice and neatly back to a "home" in the house. However, I have not even begun to dive into the abyss of my packed books from throughout the years. Kindle?!.. Not for this old lady!! (I'll be 28 in a dozen days btw and this is a live conversation I had with Jaxon while tucking him in last night:
J: "Mom? (it's always a question as if answering or not answering to it makes any sort of difference) in 13 days how old will you be?"
A: "28"
J: "Geez...you are old!"
A: [[snickering]] "you think 28 is old?!"
J: "ancient"
I told him that at his ripe age of 5 (almost 6) that I'm certain I thought 28 was old too but also went on to explain that although it may seem old, I'll be around for a WHOLE lot longer so he better get used to it. :)
And...
Back to the books... (sorry for drifting afar) I haven't got room. I refuse to go digital or technical (aside from iPhone) in any aspect and nothing compares to the feeling of opening up a book whether it be old or new, read or reread or never read, grabbing it by the binding out of hiding, feeling the crisp paper, smelling the dust flee from the pages with each turn. [sigh] With my hot cup of coffee (or tea in this case) in
a peacefully quiet dark house lit only by candlelight it's absolutely utopian. But I need a bookshelf errrr... library to house them in and STAT!! As much as I love the books, they haven't got a home. :(

Project!!! :)

stay tuned for updates and progress on the house. There shall be plenty, I've got a ton to do and better get to it!

Tidbit Tuesday : Top off those tables

What gives a room that finished, designer look?... Accessories!! (my favorite part) And table top surfaces are a great opportunity to showcase your very own style and personality.

To make it easy, I have come up with 5 no fail essentials for the perfect table top display

- a tray
- a decorative box
- a little prized piece or sculpture
- a small stack of books
And for extra credit?
- a bouquet of flowers

The best part?.. With a little of my guidance, we can achieve this entire look for less than $50 and a few minutes examining your personal style sense.

What's best about this tip is that this combination of accessories can work for any style.

For a traditional look, use a wooden tray with a ceramic vase and keep the color scheme simple and in the same family.

For a more elegant look simply use an antique silver tray with your bouquet of flowers nestled neatly in a glass or crystal vase along with the box and sculptural piece.

Scale is important when selecting such items. This pertains to anything in your home. You wouldn't want the vase, nor the flowers, to be too tall with the chance of easily toppling over or even obstructing the view to any of the other seats in the room. It might make conversation over coffee with friends a bit awkward and uncomfortable.

And Remember to layer! Layering the items adds detail and visual interest. And grouping the vase, box, and sculpture together (upon the tray) will draw the eye to your beautiful setting.

Groupings of 3 (or odd numbers) are always more visually appealing. Strange huh? But it's tried and true so follow along...


Next week, we'll discuss how to achieve this same low cost method on your bedside tables or nightstands.

Tidbit Tuesday

A master bedroom should appeal to both sexes.

When you are selling, your master bedroom should appeal to buyers of both sexes. Get rid of features that seem too gender-specific. Paint the walls a neutral color, and choose bedding that matches. Then accessorize with items that complement the overall color scheme.

Keep it clean and simple

2108 Westside Drive in Council Bluffs

A dear friend of mine asked for assistance in preparing her home for the market. The house is cute, quaint, clean, quiet & charming.

The home is in good condition and would make a great starter home for a single, a couple, or a small family. It's close to the interstate and yet centrally located close to parks, schools, and grocery shopping all on a quiet curvy street on the outskirts of town. And?!.. No neighbors behind you so taking advantage of the great outdoor space for grilling and chilling out back is ideal.

My professional staging services consisted of de-cluttering, depersonalization of the space, a little dusting and cleaning up, rearranging, adding decorative pieces to accentuate the homes features and wah-lah! It's ready for the perfect buyer!

Open House is Sunday from 1-2:30 pm . Stop on to take a peek or call the agent for a private showing.


Below are some "before" and "after" pics of the property. If you or anyone you know may be interested in the property itself, or for advice and tips on how to get your home ready for the market, please inquire at ashleydawn14@hotmail.com or call 402. five nine five. zero zero five two

Before(s):

                        


                                                                              After(s):

http://searchia.npdodge.com/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=11-2226&searchkey=e55a93fa-a055-c458-9d2d-9c353e4bdadf&npp=20&sr=1#.TpOTtte4ihg.facebook