Happy Halloween!

We fell in love with this warm and fuzzy image from Martha Stewart and thought it was perfect for this Halloween. Here is the tutorial to make your own homespun pumpkin decorations.  

Wishing you a very sweet holiday! 

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image via Martha Stewart

Chalkboard Project: Outdoor Dresser

Last Spring, I found this on the side of the road.

I couldn't resist it and begged my husband to pick it up and bring it home. Yes, it was in pretty rough shape. But it was a nearly identical match to a piece of furniture we have that belonged to my husband's grandmother. It made me happy to see another piece like it and when I saw the free sign above it, well, that kind of sealed the deal.

Fast forward to the summer. We got some furniture for the porch but it wasn't filling the space quite right and my mom recommended bringing this dresser (that had been living in my garage) to the porch. Knowing it wasn't in great shape to begin with and that it was going to be living outdoors, I wasn't interested in spending too much time or effort in refurbishing it.

Just like in the How to Paint Furniture post, I sanded it (1) and applied primer (2), but this time I spray painted it with Rustoleum outdoor spray paint (3).

I started spraying on a hot and humid day and I think that affected the look. After many light coats, I still wasn't getting an even coat so I slightly roughed up the surface by using a super fine sander and then applied one last coat of paint, this time with a roller. Once dry, I put on two coats of Wipe-On Poly.

One of my favorite things about this dresser are the drawer pulls. Instead of dull and drab, I wanted the pulls to be a noticeable feature about the dresser so I sprayed them silver.

The best part about painting this piece black is the amount of forgiveness that the black color brings. There were large nicks in the wood and areas where the wood had just completely broken off but the black conceals it all. The dresser now sits right next to my front door and is one of the first things I see when I look at the house. It's the perfect height for displaying seasonal items and pretty things. Currently home to pumpkins, in the spring it will be topped with plants and blooms and come next summer, I can already envision it with trays of snacks and pitchers of lemonade!

Rain Catcher

As Hurricane Sandy rolls in today, all of the gloomy weather reports make me want to cuddle down and ride the storm out. I originally had another post planned, but with the hurricane on everyone's mind, this delightful jar of rain clouds seems a little more fitting.

Hoping you stay safe and dry over the next few days!

Rain Catcher by The Barber Shop via Etsy

Favorite Fire Pits

The weather around here has been getting colder and I know I should be posting about things like wintry accessories, cozy blankets and knit scarves and throws, but my mind is still in summer and wishing for warm days!

I recently posted about my dream garden and I just came across another image that I want to add to that outdoor dream. It's an outdoor image but hey it involves a fire so that's ok for an autumn post, right?

This pretty picture is from Thom Filicia's lakehouse, featured in House Beautiful's November 2012 issue. This squared-off section would be perfect alongside the grid-like garden that I like so much. This is the perfect fire pit for me but here are some others great ones that I found on Pinterest.

Whether in the house or outside by a fire pit, wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend. See you back here on Monday.

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top image House Beautiful

bottom images found gathered here on Pinterest

Attic Inspiration

My mom is currently redecorating the third floor attic of her home. The space is divided into two small bedrooms (which belonged to my brother and me growing up) and a bathroom. She complained about not finding much inspiration online, so I wanted to help by providing this roundup of images. Here is a series of very different solutions for those attic spaces, which can be so challenging with sloped ceilings and all of those interesting nooks and crannies. 

Looking for a little more attic inspiration? Jillian and I have both posted some unique options in the past, here and here.

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1. Sleeping Loft designed by Joel Snayd of Rethink Design Studio via Houzz
2. Carroll Gardens Abode by CWB Architects via Houzz
3. Designed by Marshall Watson, photographed by Nathan Schroder via House Beautiful
4. Design consultation by Ellen O'Neill, photographed by John Kernick via House Beautiful
5. Mill Valley Classic Cottage interior design by Benjamin Dhong Interiors via Houzz
6. Shimmering Study designed by Timothy Mather, photographed by Ted Yarwood
    via Canadian House & Home 
7. Attic Office Space by homeowner Deb Nelson, photographed by Janet Kimber
    via Canadian House & Home 
8. 2009 Princess Margaret showhome photographed by Michael Graydon
    via Canadian House & Home
9. Designed by Sally Markham, Photographed by Pieter Estersohn via House Beautiful
10. Tudor-Style Bedroom designed by Ph.D. Design, photographed by Virginia Macdonald
      via Canadian House and Home 
11. Attic by Tim Barber LTD Architecture & Interior Design via Houzz

Crayon Art

This is seriously awesome.

Rainbow colors + crayon creativity + easy DIY art makes me happy. This is definitely a project to do with kids. Simply hot glue crayons to a canvas and set a hair dryer to hot on high. 

Doesn't it look like so much fun? 

Click here for more images and full project write-up.

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images by Meg Duerksen via Whatever

Map your Adventures

My friend Lauren and her husband both work in the travel industry, and they travel a lot. For their first wedding anniversary, Lauren bought this map to document their adventures together, and it is such a cute idea that I just had to share it. 

Etsy seller Melangerie Inc. has designed this beautiful world map with which you can map your adventures. Just place a pushpin anywhere on the map and write the location in the chart below. You can customize the title of the map and the color palette. 

In Lauren's case, she was going to mark all of the places she and her husband have explored together. (No doubt this is more than the 72 spots available on the map!) But if you are a bit less traveled than this jet-setting couple, you could easily mark the places you've been and then all of the places you want to go. What a fun way to dream about your next vacation.

Happy travels!

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Personalized World Travel Map from Melangerie Inc. via Etsy

Pretty Frames

I like picture frames. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know I write about them a lot. This frame that became a rotating gallery is a particular favorite, but just a few others are here, here and here.

And then just the other day, I found this image.

Isn't it pretty? Super basic frames are wrapped in pretty papers or fabric turning the frames themselves into works of art. This could be great for a decoupage project as well.

See the rest of this fun and colorful home here.

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image found via Desire to Inspire

Nate + Target

Hi everyone, happy Friday! Just a reminder that the Nate Berkus collaboration with Target arrives on Sunday! I am really looking forward to this shopping event. Judging by some of the sneak peeks of their products, below, this may well rival the Missoni/Target extravaganza.

And just to keep the Target excitement going, here is a sneak peak item from their collaboration with Neiman Marcus. How cute is this floral print bicycle from Alice + Olivia? Love!

Will we see you on Sunday at Target? Hope so!

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images via Target's lookbook on Facebook

Inspired by Emails

As a graphic designer, I always notice the graphics and 'look' of the emails I get. Brands like Kate Spade, J.Crew, and Jonathan Adler impress me every time. Two emails that caught my attention lately are this one by Dwell Studio

and this one by Anthropologie

The two emails are pretty similar. Graphic patterns or watercolors are placed in simple shapes. I'm sure these were done on the computer but they got me thinking -- this could inspire an art project at home.

Option 1 –paint a page with watercolors and then once dry, cut out a shape (an initial, perhaps) and glue that watercolored shape down on to a nice white surface.

Option 2 – cut out a shape from a piece of white cardstock and dispose of that shape. Glue a favorite swatch of fabric to the back of the cut cardstock. The fabric will peek through the cut out.

Place in a frame and there you go -- instant art! Your shapes could be as simple as a letter of the alphabet or maybe a collection of puffy clouds or you could go more complex and do a silhouette of a child or a beloved pet. So many options. The sky's the limit!

The Homes Behind Some Favorite Stores

While browsing Elle Decor's website over the weekend, I found some really beautiful home tours from a few years ago. These gorgeous interiors belong to a Keith Johnson and Glen Senk, a couple who are executives at Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, respectively. Hello, can you say amazing?! Since Jillian and I adore both stores, I thought it would be fun to re-post some images of their homes in New York and Philadelphia. It's fun to look at what inspires the people who wholeheartedly inspire us!

Below are photos of their Manhattan apartment photographed by William Waldron:

You can see the entire amazing tour here.

Their Chestnut Hill home, featured below, was photographed by Simon Upton:

Don't miss out on the rest of the tour, here.

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all images via Elle Decor

Pom Poms

Pom Poms make me happy. Soft, round and colorful, they just make me smile. That's why I was so pleased to come across a few pom pom images that I just had to share. The first is this one that I found on the Australian blog Atypical Type A.

Doesn't it look like a bunch of pom poms were color-coded and strung together? It reminds me of this ribbon banner I posted about last year.

And then I saw this colorful wreath also on that blog. I bet you could make one easily by gluing poms onto a styrofoam wreath. Hang it on your door this holiday season as a way to say "wishing you a colorful holiday season and a bright and cheery new year".

This next image, though, is my hands-down favorite. These enormous poms are so special. I found this on Pinterest and of course added it to my personal page and to The Pink Chalkboard page that we just started (come visit us!).

Anyone know where I can find this blanket? If so, please share! This would be amazing in my bedroom next to my painted furniture.