How to Restyle old pieces

I know when it comes to styling a new place we want to run out and buy the latest and greatest things. Lets face it, having something fresh and new is exciting. But don't be so quick to throw out that old utility cart. You can bring new life back into your old pieces, which sometimes only needs new hardware or a coat of fresh paint. 

This shelf pictured above was in the bedroom in my old apartment. I had already decided that I did not want a lot of bulky furniture in the bedroom in my new place but I did not want to throw it away. As I  rolled ideas around in my head, I decided I wanted to use this shelf either in my living or dining room. When I sketched every thing out I intimately decided to put it in my dining room to house my favorite things. 

Here are a few tips for restyling some of those awesome pieces you've had for years. 

1. Paint

There's nothing like a coat of paint, it brings new life to your old furniture. You will literally have people coming over and asking where did you get that piece from.

2. New Hardware

With old dressers and cabinets new hardware can also bring new life. It will look like you spend hundreds of dollars on new cabinets when really you spent 50 bucks on hew knobs. 

Tip: Add legs to your dresser or shelves, it gives you that sleek, updated look with out the hefty price tag. 

3. Fabric, fabric, fabric.... 

Don't throw away those couches or chairs ( unless it's literally falling apart). Take a trip to your local fabric store and invest in new covers for your chairs or couches.

4. Repurpose it

Got an old desk sitting around collecting dust? Turn it into a modern vanity. Got old end tables? Turn them into a bench. You can repurpose anything you have, with Pinterest and a little love you can do a lot!

I hope you guys find these tips helpful!

EmporiYUM / Union Market

This past weekend I got the chance to attend EmporiYUM, an awesome food event held twice a year, in Baltimore and DC. A place where foodie alike unite and indulge in tasty treats from local artisan in the Baltimore/DC area. I must say I really didn't know what to expect and coming LATE didn't help lol. However, I had an amazing time and tried some of the best food i've ever had. EmpriYUM, was held at the Union Market, formerly the 5th street market in DC. The new Union Market is definitely an experience in it's own. There are unique shops from left to right and is definitely worth the trip. 

Even though we came late, my friend and I had 30 minutes of heaven. I had never heard of most the local vendors and this sparked a hint of excitement in me to do more exploring in both DC and Baltimore. All attendees were given reusable  grocery bags from MOM's organic market ( my favorite and go - to market) and were sent on our way. From cat fish sandwiches to kombucha teas, it was just one amazing experience after the next.

Some of my favorite vendors were:

District Doughnuts, Dolcezza, Misfit Juicery, Fruit Cycle and there was another restaurant that and the best catfish sandwich i've ever had but I don't remember their name :(

"Union Market"

Check out both the Union Market & EmporiYUM's websites below:

EmporiYUM

Union Market

Repost: How to Make IKEA Bookcases not IKEA

While stalking Pinterest I came across this " How to Make IKEA Bookcases not IKEA" post by Claire Brody of Clair Brody Designs her style is amazing and I am a sucker for a good IKEA hack. 

She used the IKEA Billy Bookcases and turned them into that beauty pictured above. The neat thing about IKEA furniture it is some in a such a basic form that with a little creativity it came literally be turned into anything. 

Check out the awesome pics of her IKEA Bookcase transformation and the steps she's listed I will list below. 

* This is an complete repost of Claire's Blog post, I do not own of the pictures in this post*

How To Make IKEA Bookcases Look Not IKEA:

Materials:

• (2) IKEA Billy Bookcases (15″ wide)
• (1) IKEA Billy Bookcase (31″ wide)
• (2) 4.25″ x 74″ standard moulding (this joins the 3 shelves)
• (2) 5.25″ x 74″ standard moulding (one horizontal on the top and one on the bottom)
• (4) 5.25″ x 11″ standard moulding (sides of top and bottom)
• (1) 2″ x 74″ crown moulding (for top)
• (2) 2″ x 12″ crown moulding (for top)
• liquid nails
• caulk

*We had our moulding pieces pre-cut at Home Depot.

Steps:

1. Measure how wide you want the bookcases, so you can figure out how wide the vertical pieces need to be.  You can leave as much or as little space between each bookcase depending on how wide you want the overall piece to be.  (You will need to alter the width of your vertical moulding if you decide to go wider than 4.25″.)
2. Once the width is set, place the bookcases where you want them to go and start with one horizontal piece at the bottom.  We built it from the bottom up because Parker thought that would keep it all stable and easier to glue together as each piece was added.
3. Allow about 30 minutes between each addition to allow the liquid nails to set.  Using clamps throughout the process will ensure for cleaner lines throughout the structure.
4. Now place the two vertical pieces to conjoin each of the bookcases on the sides.  It’s important to make sure that when you place them, the edges are as flush as you can get them – allowing a little more drying time here because you will probably have to keep an eye on the edges to make sure they’re in alignment as it dries
5. After 45 minutes to an hour you can go ahead and add the top molding in the same fashion as the bottom, making it as flush with the vertical pieces as possible.   (Let this piece dry for an hour before adding the crown molding on top of it)
6. Once the top horizontal molding has dried enough that it’s stable, add the crown molding piece in the same fashion (clamps really are a necessity for this step to keep it level).  I used the molding to overlap a bit and cover the creases between my vertical and horizontal slats.
7. Once the project is dry and to your liking (wait a few hours), you will want to make sure you’ve anchored it to the wall if you haven’t already.  The IKEA shelves we used came with one anchor each and they have simple assembly into the wall once you’ve decided on its final resting place.
8. After all of the shelves are installed you can go through and use a generic caulk to fill all of the remaining peg holes so that it’s not too obvious the shelves came from IKEA. 
9. Style, style and restyle.  Then style again.  This step isn’t necessary, but will probably happen.  Another post coming soon on this.

How to make your home feel homey

I get tones of comments from my friends when they come over to my place to visit. But the one comment I love hearing is " it feels so homey here." I LOVE THAT. Because it lets me know I've achieved success! The goal when I started the design process for my new apartment, was that I wanted my guest to feel welcome and at home. There is nothing like having a guest want to move in at the end of their visit, it makes me smile on the inside.  

It doesn't take a lot for you to turn your home into the ultimate place to crash. Not only do you want your guest to feel welcome but you want your home to be a place you love coming to. At the end of the day, I cannot wait to get in my car and get to my beautiful home. And that's how it should always be.

So for you readers in need to a homey makeover here are a few tips to keep not only you but others knocking down your door to get in.

Set the mood:

And by this I really mean set the mood. Almost every day that I come home I light a candle or two and put on some music. It helps me relax and wind down from the stresses of the day. When you have guest over they can already tell you are in a good mood and it will put them in a good mood. 

Keep the air smelling sweet:

I am a sucker for an apple cinnamon air wick air freshener. When you first walk into anyones home the first thing you will notice is the smell, which can leave a good or bad impression on someone. Whether they smell an apple cinnamon air-wick or fried chicken, that's the first thing anyone will notice and it sets the mood for the entire visit. Because think about it, if someone's home smells bad, will you want to stay there?

Keep good energy:

Everyone can feel energy, whether good or bad it can be felt and trust me no one want to be in the company of bad energy. Everyday when I get home from work I make sure to leave work at work and any bad energy outside. I have a brick wall next to my door and I touch it right before I walk in and I release any bad energy into that wall and leave it outside. It doesn't have to be a brick wall it can be anything but leave any drama, strife, hate and bad energy at the door. 

I hope these tips help you keep your home homey. Comment below and share some of your tips.

Britt :) 

Inspiration Mondays: Minimalist Bedrooms

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Right now I am obsessed with minimalist decor and currently my bedroom in a minimalist state. And by that I mean it barely has any furniture lol. But I like it and that's all that matters. I love the idea of bare minimum rooms that make a big statement. Here is some minimalist inspirations for your bedroom.

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New Apartment Tour

Couch - Walmart
Shelves - Ikea
Desk- Ikea
Deer Head - Target
Silver Deer Head - Marshalls
Flower Painting - Marshalls

Fall, berries and greens....Oh My

This was my very first wedding at my internship and man was I nervous! Ok picture this: I'm on my way to Annapolis to meeting my boss, Elle, at the church for the ceremony and once I arrive my boss tells me "Brittany I need you to take the wedding cake to the reception site." With a perplexed looked on my face I say "yes, ok, of course I can." All the while my heart is jumping out of my chest. So we stashed the cake in my trunk and front seat (2 separate pieces) and I hop back in the car and proceed to take the cake to Ox Hill, which was about a 30 minute drive, mind you it's about 90 degrees outside. So I arrive at my location and I look in the trunk and THE CAKE HAS MELTED! I literally almost started crying. I tried to call my boss but her phone died, so I waited for Jill, her sister and event planner, to arrive. Once she did I told her about our dilemma and she said "no worries we'll just put it in the freezer." I was relieved to say the least, but then the real stuff began.  Everything was happening so fast, moving a table here, chandeliers being put there, limens here! Everything was so crazy but I got a huge rush. However, it didn't help that I was in 100 degree weather and hadn't drunk any water all day, BAD COMBO and did I mention it rained! But it was all worth it seeing the bride and grooms face, can you say priceless! My first day was crazy, hectic, wet, tiring but worth it!

(All photos from the same source Natalie Frank )

( this pesky cake, beautiful)

Event Planner : Elle Event Designs ( My internship)

Venue : Oxon Hill Manor

Photographer :Natalie Frank

Florist : My Flow Box

Cake: Mother of Bride

Caterer : Parings Bistro

Farm Table: Party Plus Events

Linens: Linen Hero