House of Earnest | Archive

Archive - October, 2011

October 31, 2011

House Tour: Master Bedroom – The Extended Cut

I’ve called it many things, (the closet room, the room attached to our bedroom, perry’s room) but in reality, I’m pretty sure this room’s purpose is to be a nursery. I grew up in an old farmhouse also, which had the same type of master bedroom appendage, which we called the orange room (it was literally neon orange).

We most regularly call it the closet room for obvious reasons The closet (and it’s terrible upside-down bifold doors) is off this room, and we have some small dressers in this room also. That’s it.

I’d really like to utilize this room to its fullest potential and I’ve considered a few different uses for it. My favorite, and least practical, involving turning the entire room into a huge walk-in closet. We want the space to serve more of a joint purpose, however, so the solution is to use the room as a type of sitting room and dressing room. Although we don’t have children yet, in the future we will and having a separate little sitting space in our own room will be a nice little retreat from the rest of the house, and also give me a place near my closet to ready myself.

Here is the plan to make that happen:

1. Open up that wall the closet is on, and reconfigure the doors to make the closet large enough and accessible for both my husband, Matt and I. Currently, the closet us much bigger than it appears, but accessing all of the space involves a climb inside.

2. Tear up carpet and replace with the same floor treatment we choose in the bedroom (we’re still a little divided over new carpet vs. hardwood).

3. Secure some better dressers which allow for more storage. Our current dressers are tall and skinny- each drawer fits only two pairs of pants! I got them at a garage sale, and think they could work for some other purpose later in our upstairs renovation projects.

4. Relocate the TV to this room. (possibly on the wall between our two new closet doors so that it is visible from bed?)

5. Change out crazy 0.99 disc light fixture.

6. Add some cozy furniture.

Our plans haven’t gotten much further than this. We are looking at this big picture right now, and don’t have many of the details firmed up. When We get all the carpet pulled up and build the built-in shelves for the bedroom, we’ll probably tackle this closet project too.

Any big changes in your future?

Have a HAPPY Monday (and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!)

7 Comments

October 28, 2011

Friday Faves 10.28

in easy entertaining, friday favorites with 4 Comments

no. 1 Galvanized beverage dispenser 24.99 at Target; no. 2 String Halloween lights are sold out at Pottery Barn, but that won’t stop me! I’ll use some white paper cups and adhesive letters to create my own! no. 3 ‘Broken Glass’ Cupcakes from Martha Stewart are on my party to-do list; no. 4 Some simple cheesecloth dipped in red Rit Dye will lend a cheap and spooky enhancement to any party; no. 5 classically creepy goblets are even cute for other occasions $17.99 for six, Target.

Our Halloween party is this weekend!! It’s been a super long week at work, so I’m going to be glad to get into the party spirit. Since I’ve been burning the midnight oil behind my desk, I haven’t spent much time preparing. I am turning to some simple techniques I can do after hours (read: handmade, not store-bought).

The string lights above will be easy to make with a string of christmas lights and some white paper cups, dyed cheesecloth will be spooky and simple, a cute and versatile galvanized beverage dispenser will hold my signature ‘spook juice’, and Martha’s cupcakes are going to be just the ‘wow’ factor I need…. now if I can just find the time to make my costume…. yikes!

What are your weekend plans? Anyone else going to a Halloween party??

Have a SPOOKY and FUN Friday and weekend!

4 Comments

October 27, 2011

A Little Dress-Up for the Bar

in Home Decor, our home with 5 Comments

Our home bar, that is. Not that I wouldn’t want to get all dressed up and hit the bar, but it’s Thursday morning, and I’m trying to keep it classy over here.

I mentioned in our house tour of the bar room, that I have some decor changes up my sleeve. The changes I have are so quick and easy – it might just be something I tackle before the guest room (you saw that list! It’s daunting!) My inspiration was originally triggered from Toast wine bar in Oakland, California when it was featured on Remodelista.

I think the chalkboard corkscrew inspired me the most. I really want our bar to have a classic vintage look, and I love some warmer wood touches to tie back to the inspiration photo above, and also to tie in with the natural elements in the rest of the downstairs.

Twos Vintage Style Corkscrew, $30; Clear Glass Globe Industrial Pendant – Shades of Light, $119; Benjamin Moore® Aura® Paint – Fernwood Green | Pottery Barn, $6.49; Ikea Vika Amon/ Vika Lerberg, $60; Display-It Narrow Shelf, White, $29; Buy a Rust-Oleum Specialty 30 Fl. Oz. Black Flat Chalkboard Paint -…, $9.98

The walls would be painted chalkboard on the wall above the white ledge, and the same green as the kitchen in the rest of the space. Clean furniture keeps the space modernly classic while the accessories and light fixture give just the right touch of vintage flair. Of course some colorful and fun art punches everything up a few notches!

when life hands you lemons… $29 by dearcolleen

I think I love it. What are your thoughts?

Have a MARVELOUS Thursday!

5 Comments

October 26, 2011

I'm Pin It to Win It! Are You?

in try this at home with 20 Comments

Sorry for the crazy pun that may or may not make sense, until you hear this AMAZING news. I promised you something great yesterday, and I’m totally going to deliver. Do you remember back in August, when I debuted by orbit light fixture? The creation of that piece was for the Pinterest Challenge Summer Edition.

The Pinterest challenge (although in no way endorsed or sponsored by Pinterest) was dreamed up by Sherry of Young House Love and Katie of Bower Power in an effort to encourage us who run around ’pinning’ inspiration on Pinterest to actually get out there and DO some of these things! These two beautiful ladies did an amazing job putting the challenge together and, this time, asked yours truly to be one of the two guest hosts in the fall edition challenge!!

Not only was I BEYOND honored, but I accepted… almost immediately… It might have been creepy.

Your hosts for the Fall Edition of the Pinterest Challenge are:

Katie from Bower Power || Sherry from Young House Love || Ana from Ana White

and me (you already know me)

So – without further adieu, I bring you the PINTEREST CHALLENGE (que awesome music)

Are you up for a challenge? I’m hoping you are, because here are the details:
Pick something you’ve pinned on Pinterest
Make it!
Post it on your blog!
Come back next Wednesday, November 2nd and share it! Each of the hosts listed above will have a little link gadget that you can link your project up to! Don’t only link to me, but also to the other fabulous hosts to share the project love!
Don’t forget to link back to the original pin, and the original source for the pin – so everyone gets credit!

No project is too big or two small – I’d love to see each and every one of your creative sides come out here! Just to give you a little sneak peak, here is just a clue to what I’ll be working on and the ‘pins’ that inspired me!

*above item found here originally from here

*and this project originally from here

My interpretation won’t actually be a bowl, but you’ll have to come back and see what these two ‘pins’ inspire me to create! I am really excited to not only get started on my project, but also to see all of your lovely submissions! AREN’T YOU EXCITED???

Have an AMAZINGLY PINSPIRATIONAL Wednesday!

p.s. although the title of this post suggested that someone will ‘win it’ there are no prizes, just the winning feeling of accomplishment that you’ll have deep in your heart!

p.p.s. if you don’t have a pinterest account where you can search for and collect inspiration for anything under the sun, EMAIL ME and I’ll send you an invite! You’ll love it…

20 Comments

October 25, 2011

House Tour: Guest Bedroom

in our home with 4 Comments

I showed a peek of my guest room way back in March with the boob light replacement project, and it is pretty much exactly the same. There was a crazy big/vibrant extra piece of furniture added thanks to my mother-in-law’s move to a smaller place. Can you spot it below?

Wowza. If you guessed the blue and pink armoire than you’re right. She knew about by love to refinish things, so she sweetly offered it to me and I, of course, accepted. With all of the amazing molding, it is going to be AWESOME when finished, but that is a whole other post.

This room is the catch-all room (I’m sure you guys have one of those?). You can see all of my extra photo frames and glassware perched on top of the beautiful blue armoire, which is full of my floral school supplies.

Upon moving into the house, this room was a nightmare. Stacked piles of junk covered the entire floor wall to wall. Aside from the light fixture, and clearing the room of all it’s junk to make way for my girly furniture, that is all we’ve done.

My plans for this room are going to be an overhaul!

rip up carpet
paint floor white or stain weathered gray
paint three walls and either wallpaper or stencil the fourth
repaint all wood trim surrounding doors and windows
get new closet doors that are not of the bi-fold variety
all new window treatments, art, linens, furniture (I might keep the bed, but that is only if we stay with a full instead of upgrading our guests to a queen)

I posted a mood board for the rustic Scandinavian look I was going for back in August, and currently, this is still pretty close to what I’m envisioning. I want the entire upstairs to flow, and I have some bright pops and more modern art in my office just next door to the guest room, so I’ll probably also incorporate some of the same ideas. And don’t forget about the armoire!

What are your thoughts? Do you have a catch-all room in your house? Any plans to renovate?

Have a SUPER Tuesday!

p.s. I have some SUPER JUMP OFF YOUR SEAT amazing news tomorrow. You won’t even believe it! (but you’ll have to, because it’s real) Come on back tomorrow to see what it is!!

4 Comments

October 24, 2011

Little Things Come in Pretty Packages

in soapbox: things I love and you should too with 0 Comments

I’m a sucker for packaging, and (for the most part) what’s inside doesn’t even enter into my thoughts.

These cute little soaps at West Elm are not only wrapped in the prettiest little papers (designed by Colene Blanchet) , but what’s inside is pretty amazing too. I love the sweet smell of some great packaging!

As you guys know, I usually lead you through more photos in my house tour on Monday mornings, but today is a little off track. I spent the weekend in Chicago, having an amazing time at an engagement party and shopping around the city. The weather was sunny and beautiful, and I couldn’t have had a better weekend hanging out with family and friends! So, I didn’t get a chance to take photos last night, and the house tour will continue tomorrow!

Have a BEAUTIFUL Monday!

*photos from coleneblanchet.com

0 Comments

October 21, 2011

Friday Faves 10.21

in friday favorites with 1 Comment

no. 1 This Turkish kilim runner rug has some great geometric detail in a cool palette – especially good if you want a cozy curated look without going over-the-top global. $650; no. 2 a totally cute collected bedside table that I think it just perfect – apartment therapy; no. 3 Chic, cozy and really pretty, these wool blankets are made from the highest quality super soft wool (and they’re an amazing deal on 100% wool blankets!). Buy one to snuggle up this fall/winter with someone special. $70 Mexichic; no. 4 I really love these honeycomb style candle holders. They are so simple, and have a modern rustic touch that I just adore! $34 for three at pretty dreamer.

This collection doesn’t scream ‘fall’ but throwing some blue into the mix definitely freshens up the traditional autumnal palette while maintaining a comfy-cozy vibe! I picked all of these beautiful things independently of each other, but I think they work together so well! Doesn’t it make you want to cozy up at home this weekend?

I’m off to Chicago this weekend to celebrate the engagement of my brother-in-law to his fiance (and my sister-in-law-to-be). The engagement party is being thrown by the bride-to-be’s talented sister who is always super on-point with her design and style. Follow on twitter where I’ll be sure share some pics from the event!

Have an INCREDIBLE Friday and weekend out there!

1 Comment

October 20, 2011

Front Porch Fall Decor + Hello Harvest

in Home Decor, try this at home with 0 Comments

I don’t know if you can tell yet, but I super love fall. They don’t call it the Month of Erin for nothing (ok, so ‘they’ are just my family, but they love me, so they’re nice to humor me). I’ve had so many fall posts to show you guys, that I almost forgot about my front porch fall decor!

You might recognize these planters from an earlier post. I’ll confess that although they were cute for the summer, I needed to transform them for fall and winter – and I like them a ton better. I don’t know what got into me, but I was spray painting everything in my sight bronze that day.

I mixed a few different things to created these fall-inspired planters to flank my front door. I used a combination of decorative curly grass, two colors of mums, and some purple kale. I filled in any blank spots with gourds, to give the arrangement more dimension and color. All of the plants for both planters cost around $18 at Lowes, and the planters were free (only requiring a bit of spray paint I had on hand).

What have you guys decorated your porches with? Anything cool? Please Share!

Have a FESTIVE Thursday!

0 Comments

October 19, 2011

Creating Vignettes {Guest Post at Design OCD}

in Home Decor with 0 Comments

I’m always meeting new, wonderful people out there in the blogosphere. Today, I’m posting over at Design OCD for Jae’s milestone 50th post! I’m honored to be asked to contribute, and excited to share with you guys my key pointers to creating beautiful and functional vignettes in your home! JOIN US!

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October 18, 2011

The Case of the Underwhelmed Pumpkin

in try this at home with 1 Comment

There are many years when I spend so much time picking out the perfect pumpkin, just to get it home and it looks so sad and lonely on its own, without the festive and plentiful vibe I was getting upon purchase. This is the under-whelmed pumpkin.

What to do? Elevate. Everything appears larger, and more focal when it is elevated, and the same is true here. With just terra-cotta pot and some moss or straw, you can have a festive looking singular pumpkin in no time at all. Don’t have a terra-cotta flower-pot? A plastic one covered in burlap works wonderfully, too.