DIY Solution for Medicine Cabinet Bathroom Mirrors

I had planned to post this yesterday in honor of Throwback Thursday - oh well.   This was posted back in 2009 but I thought it might still be helpful for anyone looking for a solution to cover an  old style mirror medicine cabinet.  Here's what I did for the 1950's one in our hall bath. I found a lightweight 20"wide X 24" high mirror ($25) and attached it to the original mirror with eye screws and picture hanging wire. The cabinet still opens as widely as it did before because the mirror just clears the wall.


I'm happy to report that 5 years later, it's still working beautifully.   Hope you have a great weekend. Michele

A Fab Summer Bedroom

Love this  bedroom - looks like the perfect  summer retreat to me!    (via pinterest/ Style Me Pretty)

A Reverent Memorial Day

A day of reverence to honor all those 

who gave their life in service to our nation.

source

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands, we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Ikea TRYSIL Hack & Favorite Gold Spray Paint

This Ikea Trysil hack might be better termed a mini-hack but since the One Room Challenge I have received a few reader requests about the spray paint, so here goes.  I used my favorite gold spray paint - Rust-Oleum 7710830 Bright Coat Metallic Color Spray, Gold, 11-Ounce to spray the legs, the top and bottom edges and the handles.

Then I added a little bit of Rub N' Buff 1/2oz Antique Gold to give some additional depth to the finish.

Ikea Trysil hack

Ending with this slightly hacked Trysil.  As you saw, it was super simple and the legs looks so much better gold than the original black.  I kept the original handles because there are pre-drilled holes in the wood for them.  If you're painting the whole dresser, it would be even easier to put putty in those holes and add custom handles.

Which brings me to this White version of the TRYSIL - currently not available in the US.   However, with a can of glossy white you could get this look - or better yet, go with glossy white and the gold for the legs and edges. 

Outdoor Furniture Picks

Charlotte & Ivy, a sponsor of this blog, has expanded into carrying outdoor furniture and you can count on them to be choosy.  They've selected the Sag Harbor mix and match outdoor line with Sunbrella or Outdura fabric and premium fibers handwoven over an aluminum frame for enjoyment over the years.  We all know it's better to invest once in quality outdoor furniture but I think you'll be surprised at how good the pricing is.  For example, the Sag Harbor lounge chair is $657, with free shipping.   

Along with the Sag Harbor collection, they carry Hand Carved Teak Italian chairs,  Paris Bistro All Weather Cafe Chairs in 4 colors and this fabulous Tuileries Garden Chair in Green for only $289, free shipping.  

With a Roof Right Over Our Heads

We'll be together, with a roof right over our heads

We'll share the shelter of my single bed

We'll share the same room, yeah! - for Jah provide the bread

Is this love - is this love - is this love

Is this love that I'm feelin'

 ~ Bob Marley ~

Lameshur Bay, St. John USVI  (April 2014)

This is my favorite spot on the planet

 photography by Michele Ginnerty

Ditching the Gray Pelmet & Critiques of my ORC bedroom

Well, it's been one week since the end of the One Room Challenge.  I knew when I posted about my bedroom there were some things that were off but I decided to keep last week's post focused on what I did like.  Now time to look at the problems...   

The Pelmet:  I went with this option because I had a room darkening Ikea blind that was unsightly (but so needed) and a window with only molding at the bottom.  While I do love that gray velvet, as a pelmet it's a strong contrast right at the ceiling line, only emphasizing the 8 ft height.   I remembered I had off-white fabric with a gold greek key border already sewn on it (originally intended as a twin bed skirt) so I covered the gray with it.  The looks is softer but it does make me wonder - 

- Is the contrast of the gold drapes still too much against the white walls?  

There are bits of gold accents in the rest of the room but I don't think enough to move the eye around.

The Walls:   First, let me say this room is super hard to photograph.  It was  sunny day and it all just looks so flat.  Photography aside, the walls are BM Ancient Ivory.   I've had darker colors in this room and just don't want to go there.  However, there is too much contrast w/the drapes.  So I'm wondering - 

Is there a way to add interest to these walls to bring more life to them?   What about stenciling a slightly-less curvy stripe in a very soft dove gray on the walls? Or a strie wall treatment?  OK, do tell me if I'm reaching here…Ideas?

via Pinterest

All the Straight Lines:  You may have noticed from the first pic that I ditched the matching lamps and added in this curvy mercury lamp.  There's so many straight lines in this room that I think some more softness needs to be brought on.  This may also mean bringing in some art that is softer as well. More of this maybe?

Here I am testing out what some additional color and pattern on the bed would do for the room. Above is leftover drape fabric but I think the pattern is too subtle.  The vintage Ikat fabric is going somewhere else but maybe the answer is in a stronger pattern that also has some gold in it, along with gray/purple.

Maybe a fabric something like this Oushak but with a bit stronger gray in it?

OK, so that's the critique.  I think the room is fine (still serene, etc) but I know it can be so much better. Do serve up your advice, I'd love to hear it!

Back from Scotts!: great pillow source & more

Squeezed in between work stuff, I had a blast last week in Atlanta.  My friend and I met up with the always fun and fabulous Sherry of Design Indulgence and went on the Peachtree Battle Home Tour.  All 4 were beautiful;  two of them were designed by Kay Douglas.  Let's just say WOW.  You might remember this home from Veranda with the gray dining room and vibrant green curtains?  As you can imagine, walking through it is a million times better than just looking at pictures.

OK, back to Scotts!   First up, I want to say we met the most fabulous Pillow vendor - Signature out of Raleigh NC.  Not only were they super nice, their pillows were beautifully made with great prices. The largest size was $85 a pillow.  They were my favorites because their pillows come with zipper closures, unlike some of the other vendors who made their pillows envelope style.  We found them in the South building and my friend and I each bought 2 (I'll post about my Scotts buys in a later post).  If you're looking for pillows, do check out their site -  Signature.

Here are some of the things that caught my eye - first in the North building.  This was a beautiful sculpted paper print encased in acrylic.

Clam light

Now to the South Building -

Fabulous and the set was already sold  - love the natural finish

My friend fell in love with this Provencal stoneware and bought the bowl below for her breakfast room table.

I was feeling purchase fatigue, otherwise I would have inquired what the price was for these glass vases.

A small but stunning oushak.   I think that was my fifth trip to Scotts and it never disappoints.   Hope you're having a great Monday!