DIY Project - Gallery Wall

I finally got around to finishing, or at least starting my gallery wall dedicated to my kids' art work. It was a fun and rewarding project I must say. I got Jalika to be a part of the whole process which was nice.

I picked up some frames at the thrift store that we painted. I thought it would be a fun and functional art project and it worked out perfectly.

They were just plain ole ugly frames that my husband looked at me funny for buying. Ah, but I had vision, and I knew they'd turn out just perfect. All I needed was my trusted friend....paint!

The key to a project like this is letting go of any perfectionist tendencies you might have. I just had to be okay with a not perfect paint job. We had Bob Marley blasting in the background as we painted our not so perfect frames...yet they turned out perfect. She is proud to show off her work hanging on the walls and I can't help but smile, and be a proud mama every time I go by them.

This one is her and I, I am the one with the "messed up" hand. I think it's the one on the right. :-)

A happy Monday to you!

(Images: Fatou Bah)

Pops of Neon

Neon has been on the design and fashion scene for a while now. A lot longer than I thought it would last. I was a bit skeptical at first, but I have long fallen for it when done right, and this DIY project is another great inspiration to bring in a bit of neon into your home. If you have thought about experimenting, but have been hesitant, I hope this post is the nudge you needed. 

These are great ideas for experimenting with this trend. The hangers I am quite liking, what a lovely way to bring some fun and color to your closet. I really like the dipped baskets, just a hint of neon goes a long way.  

What do you think? Have you used neon in your decor? What clever ways did you use to incorporate it?

(Images: Elle Decoration SA)

Eclectic Entryway

I talked about my plans for our entryway a million years ago...at least if feels that way. I finally finished it, and it has been a total transformation. All it took was a gallon of paint, a few accessories, and a bench I found on Craigslist that I painted.

The plan for the area has changed quite a bit from my orignal plan. At first, I was looking to add a console table as my furniture, and a big statement mirror instead of art work. But I like how it evolved and I just went with the process. Plus the bench is more practical for our family AND my Cozamia art print that I fell in love with from my very first sighting,  is the icing on the cake. I think it pulls the whole space together.

I've had my Ghanian mask for a few years now, the heart I picked up at a thrift store for a dollar, it was too cute and cheesy to pass up. I've thought about painting it (of course) but I'm still undecided. For now it is perfect just as is. Seriously how gorgeous is my pool lady! :-) The print is called Poolside by Cozamia. You might have noticed that I've used two different pillows in the pictures it's because I couldn't decide which one to leave there, but I think I've decided on the pink print. What do you think?

Happy Friday and have a great weekend! What will you be doing?

(Images: Fatou Bah)

Decorating Green

I am so excited to talk about some very easy and smart ways of designing green (and cheap). Some of you are probably doing it without even thinking about it. Kudos to you, I went through this list on Style at Home, and I was quite proud to check off a lot of the listed to dos that I already do.
For me it is a style preference, and the bonus is some of them happen to be environmentally friendly too. Bonus! Here are some of the tips I'm talking about.

1. Buying from thrift stores, craigslist, ebay, garage and estate sales etc. You can find one of a kind pieces at great prices. Most things you find this way add so much personality and unique style to a space. They are usually one off pieces and/or can be personalized using paint or any other techniques to make it your own. You know I am all for adding your own personality to a space. After all decorating is personal, and it should reflect YOU at all times.

This chair hubby got for me at a thrift store for under $10 and I've had it for over 2 years now and this is the second personality it's taken on. It is still sturdy and quite gorgeous! All with just a coat of paint and a pillow cover I used to reupholster the seat.

2. Reuse pasta sauce jars, jam jars and old tins. I love using the mason jars, they make adorable flower vases. Another tip I read at Style at Home is to paint the lids fun colors and use the jars as storage for grains in your pantry, or I say use it in your home office to store supplies. I have a thing for vintage soda bottles or any interesting drink bottles for that matter. The shape of the bottle can make me buy the juice. Below see old bottles that I spray painted to use as vases. You can decorate these as elaborately as you want, or just leave them solid. Wasabi tape is a great quick way of adding color to them too. Just get some fun colors and prints and tape around the bottles to create some interest.

BEFORE

AFTER

Part of my Valentines Day flowers ;-). Lovely way to wake up. 

Old pasta sauce jars with one of the painted juice bottles.

3. Another great way is bringing in free natural items into your home as decor accessories. Pick up pine cones on walks, or branches.  Sometimes you can find beautiful wild flowers like we do in the summer on the trail by our house. My daughter picked up some pine cones last summer that she still has in her room, and she is so proud that she's the one who got them.

4. After all your painting projects, we all know how it goes, you have those paints just sitting in a dandy storage somewhere,  never to see the light of day. A great thing to do is take it to Home Depot, or Habitat for Humanity to recycle them. Also check in your local area for any paint exchange programs that might be available.

Okay that's plenty, but I hope you found something that makes sense to you, that you can easily add to your decorating routine.
If you have any tips or ideas I'd love to hear them. I hope you are having a lovely week! :)

(Images by: Fatou Bah)

Double Personality Drawer

This is about the moodiest of blues, and the happiest of yellows coming together to live happily together! Okay so I'm only talking about a chest here. :-) My older daughter's drawer/nightstand out of nowhere fell on her a while back, while she tried getting something out of it. Thankfully, it didn't land all the way on her, and my 6 ft 5 husband (thank God for his long legs) was up the stairs within seconds. After that we decided it was time to get her something more stable. You see I LOVE this drawer, it was a craigslist find that I couldn't believe I got for how much I got it for. It was a case of imagination coming to reality. I've decided to keep it till I can find a better spot for it.

Here is the little beauty. All I did when i got it was add the flower knobs from Anthropologie. As you can see one bit the dust. :-)

We decided to find something at IKEA, she insisted that we paint it yellow and blue, "thats my favorite color" she says over and over. I decided to take on the challenge. The brainstorming session began, I sketched out a few ideas, but they were all too complicated for me to carry out. Those are the times I wish I had my own personal carpenter and artist to bring my ideas to life. :-)

BEFORE

AFTER

My husband out of nowhere threw out the brilliant idea of painting it half and half. I have to admit I didn't think the idea brilliant at first. I dismissed it as just one of his silly comments (he can be a goof ball), but the more I thought about it, the more exciting it got. I decided to go for it!

The bumblebee was a last minute addition to personalize it. Jalika has been obsessed with bumblebees since Halloween, when she dressed up as one. I thought it would be a nice surprise for her, as I did it when she was napping. The husband traced it for me, because I suck at drawing, and I painted it. This project was a lot of measuring, making sure the tape was as straight as possible. Oh, and don't make the mistake we did trying to save $10 by buying the white one. If you are going to paint over it buy the unfinished version. I had to do A LOT of sanding to get it ready for painting. Next time definitely buying the unfinished piece.

This was definitely a labour of love, and I couldnt' be happier. More importantly she is madly in love with it!

(Images: Fatou Bah)

IKea Leran Light - My Love Affair

I've had this idea for this light brewing for a few months now. It has been a matter of having time to execute the idea. I first bought this light over two years ago when redoing my older daughter's room, but it didn't work with the fixture in her room. I returned and bought another one that turned out to be even more perfect. A year later, redoing our bedroom I bought it again (true love don't you think?) knowing that more than likely it wouldn't work, but I knew there had to be a way around it. Too bad I have no clue about electrical stuff, and neither does the husband, and I did get a lecture about that too. Good/bad I don't give up when I really want something, it can be a really bad thing, but sometimes it really pays off, and when it does, it does big time :-).

Okay so while driving from the grocery store one day my mind wandering as it usually does, I get this brilliant idea to add old copper coins to the lamp whether gluing or tying them somehow. The idea pretty much grew from there.

via Decor Pad

This Leran light from Ikea.

I spray painted it white. 

Taped it to get the stripes I want. They are not perfectly straight, but I love that about it, and thats saying something for a neurotic person like myself :-). I didn't measure it, just eye balled it. 

Then spray painted it gold.

Added the finishing touches of gold coins and voila!

(Images Fatou Bah)

A Frame of Quotes

The story behind the frame - bought it at a thrift store a long time ago, forgot I had it. The other day it was peeking out from the bag in the garage, I think it was telling me its time I use it for something. 

I've being wanting to print out some quotes that have been inspiring me lately, and put them up somewhere, and this was the perfect opportunity. This is a great and simple way to bring together things you love in one spot and have it at an accessible area of your home. I don't know if I'll move it, but for now its perfect above the sink. 

Have a lovely and inspiring day!

(Images Fatou Bah)