My Bowl of Cherries

DIY Chair Project, Part 2

So, you may have noticed that I’ve been seriously slacking off on any sort of posts recently (more than recently actually). Caught up with work, other work, and life in general, most of my side projects were put on the back burner for a good part of this year.

I am hoping that this fall will afford me some more time to get back to some of the things on my to-do list. Thing #1: This project. I had selected and ordered the fabric, but have not yet gotten around to starting. I actually ended up going with two fabrics, one for the front and cushion of the chair, and another for the back. I like the mix of floral and more geometric chevron, and decided to stick with Black and White so that it will fit into any room in my apartment. 

I’ve done quite a bit of research on reupholstering a chair, and really liked this tutorial from Little Green Notebook. I hope to get started on this in early September, and with any luck have it done sometime before 3013. Here goes nothing!

DIY: Chair Project Part I

My mother recently found this chair for me at a yard sale, and I’m going to take a shot at at reupholstering it. 

I’ve been looking at Spoonflower for days trying to pick the perfect fabric, I think that’s going to be the hardest part! I’m down to a few choices, but I’m going to take a day or two to think about it.

Stay tuned for my progress, and let me know what you think!

Pretty Patterns: Houndstooth

Houndstooth or houndstooth check is a twotone textile pattern, characterized by broken checks or abstract four-pointed shapes. Most often seen in black and white, modern houndstooth sometimes uses other colors as well. The classic houndstooth pattern is an example of a tessellation.

Houndstooth checks originated in woven wool cloth of the Scottish Lowlands, but are now used in many other materials. The pattern made a frequent appearance on fabrics designed in the 1930s through to the 1970s.

For some Houdstooth fun in your house, try this DIY Deer Antler mount.

Or this DIY Pendant Lamp

See Pinterest for more ideas.

Coffee Table Book of the Month: Design Sponge at Home

Filled with home decor inspiration and DIYs, I can already tell Design Sponge at Home will be one of my favorites. Plus, the bright cover looks great on my white coffee tables, which is really the point anyway, isn’t it?

Pretty Patterns: Chevron

A chevron is an inverted V-shaped pattern. The chevron dates back to ancient pottery and rock carvings, and can be found on coats of arms and military insignia.  

To bring a bit of Chevron into your life, try the Design Sponge Chevron Fan DIY.

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The Green Clean: The Magic of Vinegar

White vinegar is one of the most useful and eco-friendly cleaning products out there. Not only is it inexpensive, but you can use it to clean glassware, mirrors, laundry, smelly drains and more! Here are a few simple recipes to get you started.

Spotty glasses: Wipe glasses with a dish rag or towel and a few spots of vinegar to remove water spots, or let them soak in a shallow pan or tub with hot water and 2 cups of white vinegar. shake off excess water and let air dry. The taste will evaporate with the vinegar, and your glasses will sparkle! You can also add vinegar to the rinse compartment of  your dishwasher for the same effect.

Mirrors: Fill up an old spray bottle and wipe away with old newspaper. No spots or streaks!

Laundry: Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to remove dulling residue and prevent static. (Be sure to test vinegar in an inconspicuous place first).

Dish Drains: Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. 

For more vinegar tips and tricks, check out 1001 Uses for White Distilled Vinegar.

Pretty Patterns: Polka Dots

Polka Dots are having a moment, and I’m glad. They are playful and flirty, and have been seen on many a runway this fall (hello Stella McCartney). 

The pattern originally became fashionable in the late 1800s when the dance of the same name was all the rage. 

Traditionally, polka dots were used costumes for Flamenco Dancers and other performers. Polka dots spread to hats, scarves and who can forget that Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Bikini.

If you want to bring more Polka into your life, try making a fun throw pillow. This DIY from Isabella & Max Rooms give great basic instructions. Try folding your fabric to break the pattern up a bit.

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The Green Clean: Your Bathtub

A quick and easy way to scrub out your bathtub (and use leftover grapefruit).

You’ll need:

• a grapefruit
• 1/2 cup kosher salt

Slice the grapefruit in half, sprinkle with some salt, and scatter the remaining salt around the bathtub. Scrub, picking up fresh salt as you go. When you’re done, simply rinse the salt away.

Not only will your bathtub sparkle, but the citrusy fresh scent will linger.

(Source: re-nest.com)

DIY: White Ruffle Laundry Bag

I’ve had my eye on this White Ruffle Laundry Bag by India Rose for YEARS! Literally!

I just found this great DIY tutorial from Weekend Designer that I’ll be trying next chance I get. 

As a side note, when my new laptop arrives, I’ll be setting up my desk as a sewing station, so I’ll be posting more of my own sewing projects, stay tuned!

Birchbox: August Favorite

I’m LOVING the blinc eyeliner Birchbox sent this month.  The brush is thin and flexible, allowing for a super precise line, but it’s buildable for a more dramatic cat eye. Best of all, the liner didn’t smudge or fade all day. I applied at 7:30 am, and didn’t think about it again until I removed it (easily, with no makeup drips down my face) at 10pm. This is at the top of my fall makeup list, for sure.