Share this:

 Although I love my West Elm media stand it was time for a little update. I look at my TV stand every single day (most likely for more hours than I should) so why not take it up a notch and make it something truly unique? Using the extra Tempaper left over from my new wallpaper job I was able to add some movement to this stationary furniture piece through a bold pattern.

After a little precise measuring, cutting and applying the Tempaper like you would contact paper, I felt like I had brand new piece of furniture. Sometimes a little update makes all the difference. 

Share this:

My recent career move has left me working from home more often. A new career means a new desk. I had my eye on West Elm’s White Parsons Desk for the past two years and after convincing myself I needed more workspace I caved in and made the purchase. From a small dark wooden desk to a shiny lacquered one I went. After the parsons desk completely transformed my space, there was no looking back. A TPS white filing cabinet from CB2 provides extra storage and sleek look while a  Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Crescent Heights Armchair compliments the space with its’ bold color. And so the accessorizing began….

I wanted to add height to my apartment by building up with shelves. I needed shelves on a budget and found some simple white ones at my local Rainbow store for just $6 each. I found the brackets at the same store for under $5 a piece. I loved the pattern of the brackets, but they needed some jazzing up.  With some priming and spray paint they became a bit more fun and a bit more Lindsey.

Etsy artwork given to me on my last day by my lovely coworkers keeps me going and CB2’s gold pig bookends adds life to my shelves. Mason jars are an inexpensive help keep me organized. The Container’s Store brocade desk collection was the perfect fit for my new office look. A Sugar Paper Notepad helps to keep me on track and focused, while my DIY gold polka-dot lamp provides light for late night typing.

It’s amazing how a new clean space can give you a new perspective. Even though it’s just part of my living room, this once small corner with a pathetic little desk has transformed into a new “office”. Now all I need is a booster seat so my little assistant Chip can sit next to me and catch up on all his paperwork.

 

Share this:

I’ve been slowly, but surely, updating my apartment. This week I’ve been focusing on my entryway. A stunning entryway table would be ideal, but seeing as I live in a small NYC apartment practical storage is a must. Keeping my budget in mind, two Container Store shoe organizers side by side were the way to go.  They serve as both storage and a bench. Not to mention, they are a great way to show off my shoe collection.

In addition to my shoe organizers turned bench I’ve been spending my days adorning my walls with Tempaper. I went with a modern gray and white pattern that travels from my dining room nook  (photos coming soon) down to my front door. I always have to incorporate a little gold into my designs so a framed chalkboard completes my new, improved and budget friendly entryway.

Share this:

I discovered this chair at my local Housing Works  a few months ago. Even though it wasn’t much to look at, I was infatuated with the design of the circular shaped back. Thirty bucks later I was its proud owner. I followed the sanding and spray painting instructions on Finding Silver linings  and the upholstery advice of FamilyHandyMan and this was the result.

This was the perfect chair for my first refurbishing project, but I did learn a few things that I wish I had known when I began my chairventure.

1. Sanding is not overrated it is VERY important. As boring as it may be, sand, sand, sand!

2. Spray paint for both your primer and color is the way to go. I tried using paint primer and it was a disaster. Although it’s  complicated maneuvering spray paint in a NYC apartment (thank god for my balcony) paint can get gloppy when your furniture has lots of crevasses like mine did.

3. Always buy more cushioning then you need for your seat. Padding is key and I wish I had purchased more.

Salon Galley Wall

A year ago I decided to jazz up my New York apartment by creating a salon gallery wall of my own. Now, just over one year later, I’m giving my favorite wall a bit of an update. Although I’m lucky to have more light in my apartment than the typical New Yorker, my living room is still darker than most homes. In an effort to brighten up my living room I’ve been working  hard to incorporate more light neutrals and less dark patterns into my design. With a little primer and an ivory colored spray paint I transformed my frames and brightened up my living room.

In case you missed it last time, here are some tips for creating your own gallery wall:

*Color Scheme: I suggest sticking with an overall color scheme. Although I did add in some color, I decided to work mainly with ivory and gold frames. This gives your wall a sense of cohesiveness. You want everything to look like it belongs. I also love the way the ivory color pops against my grey walls. My ivory inspiration came from my coconut mirror, which you can see here.

*Don’t be afraid to play! Play with textures, shape, and color. Don’t stick with just a plain flat frame. Throw in a bold cut-out or even a circular frame to mix things up. Also, don’t forget about your lines! Be sure to play with vertical and horizontal frames.

*Add something other than art:  I went with a wall clock, but a small shelf display would work just as well.*Etsy is your best friend: I was able to find some great prints on this amazing website, including my Button U.S.A map and King Pug Newsprint.

*Get Resourceful: If you dont have the money or the resources to buy art, frame some printed paper or a design you like from a magazine. I ended up framing a wallpaper sample I had lying around (which you can see in the horizontal gold frame above).*Although you want your wall to appear to be thrown together, you still want to maintain a level “organized chaos”. In order to do this, lay all of your wall hangings on the floor before nailing anything down. Move things around until you find an arrangement that is truly eye-catching.

The beauty of the Salon Gallery Wall is that you can keep adding to it over time. As I continue to make memories in this city, I can continue to add to my wall.

Decor: Living Wall Art

After removing my New Year’s wallpaper decorations back in January the walls surrounding my dining room nook look so barren and boring. I wanted something different from typical framed artwork so I brought some life to my walls with a framed vase installation. The entire process took me less than an hour and everything you need can be found around your home. 

DIY: Frame Update

I bought three silver frames from my local Housing Works for $3, but when it came time to hang them the silver frame was not working for me. I needed an update to make these thrift store frames look like designer decor.
All you need for this project is your frame, scissors and the adhesive contact paper of your liking. I went with a simple blue checked pattern. Instead of using your typical family photos, I framed three shopping bags that I’ve collected over the years. The first frame is an apple picking bag from the local apple orchard in my hometown. The second is a shopping bag from my NYC hair salon. I love their silhouette logo so whenever I purchase my favorite shampoo, I also save my favorite bag. And finally, the third bag is an homage to one of my favorite designers. I’ve saved this Kate Spade bag since my sister bought me Kate Spade gloves for Christmas six years ago.

Chip’s Corner

Chip is a very lucky boy. He lives in a spacious apartment on the Upper East Side with more toys than one puppy could ever need. He also has his own little corner all to himself.
Below my salon wall lives Chip’s most prized possessions: his bed, treat jar, toys and British themed trashcan.
When I found this hanging copper basket I knew I had to have it. Not only do I love the color, but suspending it from my ceiling adds dimension to my apartment and plenty of storage for Chip’s toys.

My obsession with metallics continue with Chip’s gold bone jar. He knows that shiny jar holds all his delicious treats. Chip sleeps in style with his Bambu hammock dog bed. 

Home Sweet Home.

Share this:

This Friday I’d like to feature some to-die-for design coming to you all the way from New Hampshire. My mother bought this gorgeous French Country bench from Wisteria this past Fall. Yes, she has great taste.

As amazing as it is on its own, this bench was in need of some serious styling. For Christmas my sister and I decided to accessorize this bench and make the entryway in our parent’s home more than just an place to throw your coat.

We started with a chic gold garden stool, also from Wisteria. We thought the bright gold modern look would be a great contrast against the dark wood of this french country bench.

For pillows we went with my go-to color scheme of mustard & navy:

Although no longer being sold, the large blue printed pillow we decided on from Serena & Lily is similar to one above.

We also fell in love with a velour cayenne pillow from Crate & Barrel. Although that pillow is also currently out of stock, this Aubree Boucle pillow is very similar. 

For our final pillow, I wanted to add something quirky and fun. When I found this deer pillow on Etsy I knew it was perfect. Not only is it different, but the linen and black sketch coordinate perfectly with our French Country bench.

The end result looked a little something like this:

Not only do all the colors compliment one another, but we played with texture through the different fabric pillows. I’m afraid I cannot take credit for the adorable small bowed pillow because that genius idea came from my mother. I think my sister and I successfuly updated this bench through incorporating  our personalities while still maintaining the taste of my parents. I’ve made my mom promise me that one day I’ll be the owner of this breathtaking bench. I can’t wait for it to grace the hall of my future home, but in the meantime I think it looks pretty darn good right where it is.

Apt. Facelift

I’ve only been living in my apartment for a year and a half and already I’m  getting that the urge to redecorate. It starts small…a new rug here and a new lamp there, but then your itch for a new design scheme grows. Before you know it you’re repainting and refurnishing. Being a mere twenty-six years old and living in Manhattan, I most certainly cannot afford to redo my apartment. However, I’ve decided on a few main pieces that I will SLOWLY purchase in order to give my place the facelift it needs.

Tempaper:

After draping wrapping paper along the walls of my dining room nook for my New Year’s Eve party I realized how great it would look if there was wallpaper up year round. I’m not sure if I’d necessarily pick this exact print, but tempaper is an ideal way to transform any rented space without the expenses and hassle of real wallpaper.

Ghost Chair:

I’ve had my heart set on this ghost chair way before they were in style. I think this chair would go perfectly with my new white West Elm Parsons desk that I recently purchased. Pairing it with my white sheepskin rug for comfort will make for the perfect match!

Bar Cart:

I’ve been looking for something to place to the right of my television set for a while now. I want something  that will not only cover my outlet and power cords, but something that is functional. Seeing as I have an obsession with gold and cocktails, I think this bar cart and I are a match made in heaven.

Gold Pig Bookends:

I dare someone to give me one reason why I don’t need this. It is amazing, enough said.

Chandelier:

I’ve been waiting my entire life to be the owner of a gorgeous chandelier. I may not be able to afford one of this grandeur right now,  but I will scourer thrift stores and local Housing Works until I find one I can refurbish and proudly hang above my kitchen table.