Check out a ton of different sales going on now and through the weekend! Don’t forget that tons of retailers are delayed in shipping things out so I would get your gifts purchased this weekend for guaranteed delivery.
It may seem like easy enough of a task, but actually when you get down to it there are a lot of components to picking the right coffee table for your space. Not that it’s incredibly difficult to do, but if these factors aren’t considered then you could end up with a room feeling off or not looking the way that you want it to.
SIZE + PROPORTIONS
The first thing you should think about is the shape of your room and the space that your coffee table needs to fill. Among those measurements is the height. Believe it or not, not all coffee table’s heights are created equal. Just like the height of every sofa and chair is not the same, so go for a coffee table that is the same height or and inch or two below the height of your sofa. If it’s too low then it will get lost in the space or feel more like a floor cushion. But make sure it isn’t too high as well! Too high and it will dwarf all the other furniture and feel awkward to look at as well as to use.
You also need to pay attention to the proportions in regards to your sofa. The general rule of thumb is that your coffee table should be 2/3 the length of your largest sofa. While I don’t think that this is a hard-fast rule, if you do have a longer/rectangular space you might want to keep this in mind. Any shorter and there will be loads of open space, too long and it will take over the space and feel cluttered.
The last measurement you need to note is the clearance. There are a few spatial rules when it comes to design that I find are rules for a functional reason:
12 to 18 inches away from the sofa – I stay closer to 16 – 18. I find 12 inches to be just too close.
between 24 – 30 inches away from tv stand or fireplace
3 feet of clearance in the major walkways (this rule of thumb is for any piece of furniture)
The first rule is to ensure that you can use the table! Meaning if you are sitting on a sofa or chair, that when you lean forward you can actually reach the table to set something on it. If you have a rather large living space, then the third rule definitely comes into play. The second rule is definitely a good place to start if you aren’t sure what size or shape to get! But if you have a larger room don’t shy away from putting ottomans or a bench in front of the fireplace to finish up the space. That would mean you could forego the second rule but it could also change the shape of your table. If you’re having a hard time finding the right table because you have a larger space, maybe consider the ottomans! Extra seating and it shapes your room.
Don’t just go with whatever shape you see first. This is where you can really bring your space to life! I tend to keep the rule that if it’s a smaller space for the coffee table, you should keep to round edges. And that can include an oval table. But make sure that the oval table is large enough to appropriately fill the space. Some can be fairly narrow and will feel too small. But I love oval tables for formal sitting areas with parallel sofa’s. Square and large circular tables/ottomans are great for living rooms almost completely surrounded by furniture. Meaning on at least three sides of the rug you have a sofa, chairs, bench, etc. I absolutely love a large upholstered ottoman for a coffee table. It feels so comfortable when done well.
Our living room in our apartment is very long. We actually have the tv at one of the short ends of the rug because it all wouldn’t fit otherwise and we wanted to maximize the space. I had thought about an oval table, however because we have an 8 x 10 rug it would have had to be such a large table to appropriately fill the space. So I went with a iron rectangular coffee table with a glass top and solid shelf at the bottom. I’m so excited that it’s finally here and that I can decorate it with my coffee table books and antique store finds!
MATERIAL + WEIGHT
When picking your coffee table you want to think about the balance of the room. Does it compliment the space and make it feel proportional? Meaning if you have a couch that has skinny or exposed legs, then I would go with a solid table, one that goes all the way to the ground. Similar to the opposite! If you have a slipcovered couch that doesn’t show the legs, then you could go with a leggy table. My general rule of thumb is if there is any accent furniture with exposed legs to go with a heavier or more solid table. I read once that a living room that is “leggy” won’t feel grounded. I tend to agree.
Next is the function of the room; is it a heavily used living room or a more formal sitting space? Are you going to be using the table and setting things on it? Are there kids that will be using the space and needs to be friendly to their uses? Reclaimed wood tables are great for heavily used rooms because it already have scratches and imperfections. So another one or two won’t stand out. I also love them with lighter/neutral sofa’s because it balances the colors. If you have a darker couch you could opt for a lighter material, especially if you already have wood floors. Too much wood in one area or too many types of wood in one area tend to clash and not go well together.
I know it all seems overwhelming, but I PROMISE the perfect table is out there for you. Maybe even one of the above!? If you need a step 1, measure the space! Literally get your measuring tape out and measure the distance between your furniture and what’s empty in the middle of your living room. And if you find it just impossible, shoot me an email or schedule a call and I’ll be happy to help you out.
While I don’t necessarily have a long list of things that I want from these cyber week sales, I did find a few different pieces from the sales. I think there are some amazing savings out there, especially on the home front! If you are like me and you have been trying or wanting to upgrade a few parts of your home… since that’s all you’ve seen for the last eight months, then now is the time to do it!
When it comes to fashion retail, my favorites right now are Madewell and Mango. You can find those and so many other finds below! I’ve also been considering upgrading my loungewear lately. I’ve been wearing it out a lot lately and been thinking about getting some higher end loungewear that’ll last longer. Maybe that’ll be a post soon? Hmmm…
For a few weeks I’ve been doing a round-up in my Instagram Stories every Sunday; things like my favorite new people to follow, bestsellers, my new finds of the week, most asked questions, etc. So I thought that I would do something similar on a monthly basis. Not only bestsellers, but also some of everyone’s favorite posts of the month, maybe a favorite reels of the month! But also maybe some things that I have found/learned over the weeks. We’ll see how this evolves, and if you have any requests or suggestions to include, please leave a comment below!
One thing that I have LOVED about the last few months, actually, is that my love for DIY projects has been shared with all of you!! It makes me so excited that something that I just geek out over is something I can share with everyone. And while I am now in a small apartment so that makes things a little more difficult, I can still plan some and knock them out at my parent’s house when I go visit! Also, my mom has all the tools ;-D But I was so excited about the final product of this side table because, to be honest I wasn’t sure how it would stay together because unlike other projects I didn’t have anything to model it after. But it was so easy and required so little tools that if you are in an apartment you could totally do this one too! You can check out the details in my reels, as well as shop the details below.
The sales just keep rolling in! There are so many early Black Friday sales on home decor and furniture, and I have round up some of my finds here in this post.
I eat bread. I love bread. Which these days with people flaunting their gluten free nonsense and waving their no carbs banners, this sentiment isn’t a popular one.
So for those people who do actually like food, this post is for you! I have always loved making bread, like love loved it. And not quick breads like banana bread (although I love making that too), but at a young age I started making yeast breads. And tough ones too! i’ve made Challah (braided it and everything), and some amazing breads for holiday gatherings. And I realized that was when I most loved making it. The ability to literally break bread with people at the table! So whether you’re having a Thanksgiving to yourself or you’ve got your quarantine family with you, here are some recipes that I’ve made in the past and love, as well as a fun holiday table idea for your own individual sides of bread.
I don’t think I could even keep track of how many times I’ve made this Multigrain Yeast Bread. It is so insanely good. Sweetness from the molasses, heartiness in all of the seeds, and it is crusty on the outside with the softest inside. This would be my top suggestion for a loaf to have for breakfast with a group around. Warm and sliced with some preserves… I mean, I think that’s what heaven looks like?
This holiday wreath takes time, dedication and a creative touch. But I have made it for Thanksgiving and Christmas for the past three years and it is a huge hit. Not only in the flavor because it’s delicious but in the shape! It’s so fun and festive and a great way to show off your skills. It makes two wreaths so if you’ve got a big group? Great! Or if you want, I’ve made both and frozen the other for a bit. It still tastes great thawed and heated up.
Now time for my favorite part. I’m sure it is my favorite mostly because of where it comes from. I first discovered these pots of joy when I went to brunch at Terrain and loved them! Not only are they delicious but what a clever idea. So if you’re looking for an easy and simply table decoration, I think this is a great place to start! You can tie little ribbons around them or find another way to make them a part of the decor and not just the meal.
Now for those bread lovers, here are some good finds and gift ideas.
While I am not necessarily decorating a Christmas tree quite yet, I am starting to think about the season of gifting. However this year is just bonkers, and I don’t know about you but “stuff” is not on my list this year. While there are a few items here and there that I have on my list for my mom who just can’t help herself and has to wrap something, I feel like a lot of people this year feel like buying things for each other isn’t their highest priority.
I’ve only just started to skim the sites for gift ideas as well as those that might be on the more creative side, so I thought that I would share those with you if you are the kind of person who likes to get their shopping done early.
Miss social cocktails? Me too, me too. I am not sure when I’m going to be comfortable going to a bar or something of that nature again, but that doesn’t mean you have to ditch those fun vibes completely. I love the science behind cocktails and think that it’s so cool when you find a restaurant that has cool cocktails, so you could make an evening of it! Putting together a little gift basket for someone or even just one item to then set the tone for a fun evening, or multiple evenings could be great! Maybe a book of fun cocktail recipes, or a personalized cocktail shakers, or a cocktail mix to have by the fireside? Mix up your evenings that seem to be running together and bring the fun bar around the corner to your house!
Or what about a movie night? No, we don’t have kids, but we’re as immature as them sometimes 😀 and I know that one thing I also miss is a movie night! Not that we would go to the movies all that much before the shut-down, but just the idea that we could! Not to mention because social encounters are pretty much zilch, it seems like every night we just flip on the tv and say “so what do you wanna watch?”. So why not mix it up and put a creative twist on it? Nice weather out? Set up the projector and comfy porch chairs! Have an empty wall in the house, bring it inside, grab your coziest blanket and some popcorn. Have kiddos? Put together a fun concessions stand! People find so much more joy from spending money on events rather than things (read that in a scientific article who knows when…) so why not make your holiday gift a bit of both?!
At the same time we all know that life is going to continue to look differently for a while, so maybe something to keep their home nice and cozy, or spruce up their home office space?
Also, don’t miss the Holiday Shop for more gift ideas and early Black Friday deals that I find over the next few months.
If you can’t tell, I’m a planner, in life. I love to plan my days, my weeks, my living spaces, etc. so when we moved into a new apartment where we had to start from scratch I started planning immediately. And these plans have changed sssooooooo much over the months, we were originally supposed to move in in June and if we had our place would look very differently if we did!
I originally thought that super light and fresh was what I wanted: all whites and light neutrals. But over the past few months I have loved playing with dark and moody colors. Plus, my husband isn’t the cleanest eater in the world :-/ Now we already had a few pieces so I had to find a way to include these darker and more colorful pieces, which to be honest is the best way to do it! If you don’t want it to be a super moody room but still want hints of it, the details to top it off are the perfect place to do it! Meaning, a top-layer rug, throw pillows, maybe a coffee or side table.
Our living room is obviously going to be the most-used room in our apartment, and I’m sure it will even change from the design concept above seeing as I have about 7 rug swatches sitting in front of me right now 😀 But our living room has so much natural light that I knew that having a darker rug and accents wouldn’t make the space feel overly moody. That’s something to really keep in mind when picking colors and hues. If you want some color and mood, but don’t want it to be overwhelming, consider how much light the room has as well as the height of the ceilings! Lower ceilings and minimal natural light are features that immediately make a room darker/moodier already. So since our ceilings are 12’ and we have floor to ceiling windows, I wasn’t too worried about these features being too dark.
Still thinking over the light fixture though, we might have to wait a while and live in the space until we pick that one.
We do have two bedrooms, but unfortunately for future guests, that second bedroom is not for you. We needed a dedicated space for a desk and in-home workouts, so that’s what this bad boy’s gonna be! We also know that since we’re in a much smaller space from our house in MN, and quarantine isn’t quite over, we need other spaces to be able to escape to: a comfortable bedroom to hang out in, a functional kitchen table, maybe a reading corner to change up the scenery.
I started with the linens in the bedroom. While I already had the headboard from Target, I wanted the linens to make it feel stylish and comfortable. I think people minimize the importance of bed linens and that is a huge miss! Linens can completely change the feel of your bedroom, and check out some of my picks and finds below.
Also don’t assume you need fancy nightstands for a nice bedroom. I got ours from Amazon and changed the hardware. If you don’t need a drawer or want a minimal look? Consider an open side table or floating shelf! That’s a great way to add some style to your room.
I’m also super excited about our entryway. I really like how you can turn a small and otherwise empty space into a totally functional and stylish corner. Entryways are actually the best area to do just that! You can get creative not only with the artwork and maybe wallpaper, etc. but with hooks and shelves too! We have a rather large entryway for an apartment so we’re lucky enough to have the space for some items, but it’s key not to overdo it. Sometimes doing too much with a space just because you have the room for it can undo any aesthetic goals you have.
The office plans are super bare bones and to be honest because that space is going to be so multi-functional I think that the majority of the pieces of that room are going to be small organizational tools to keep that small space feeling uncluttered. I’ll share more on Instagram as it comes to life!
I keep changing my mind like crazy on the kitchen table!! At first we were thinking that we would forego a kitchen table, but other than the living room and office it would be the only other place to sit! So since we are spending 99.999999% of our time at home these days, we figured we could use the extra functional design. All I know is that I really want an industrial looking table, round, and comfy and casual/farmhouse slip covered dining chairs. These are the top three variations I have right now, but check out the links to some of the items below too!
Yup, I’m still going! And I’ve already hit my minimum goal of reading 40 books in 2020 and excited to keep going! I’m hoping that I’ll surpass my lofty goal of reading 50 books this year. I’d like to think that I could set the same goal for next year, but really hoping that we don’t have another quarantine, and pretty sure I should give lots of credit to attaining my goal to that. But, we’ll see!
Check out my book reviews of the last 20 books that I read. There are some REALLY good ones that you should definitely check out, and some that I think you’d do fine to miss. If you missed the other post of the book reviews of the first 20 books that I read this year, check out this post!
Gretchen Rubin’s book on The Four Tendencies I really enjoyed and how it broke dow the personality types and how to communicate the best with each. This book talks about habit-forming behaviors and how you can use your personality type to your advantage. I personally love these kinds of self-knowledge books and read a few pages where I’m pretty sure I said outloud, “yup! I do that”, and “yup! I should do that”. If you’re looking to change things in your habits or have tried something over and over again, check out this book! Who knows? It might give you a tip that will completely change your New Year’s Resolutions outcome.
This one I wasn’t a huge fan of. Kind of surprised that it made it onto Reese’s bookclub. It does have some twists and I enjoyed the development of the characters, but it really doesn’t go anywhere. As I finished it I remember thinking that the end had almost nothing to do with the majority of the middle of the book. Now, it did keep me reading, but it wasn’t one that when I closed it up I thought, “ya, people should totally read this”!
If you have followed me for a while, then you know that I love everything Rachel Hollis. I have read all of her books, listen to her podcast weekly, and have participated in her 90 Day challenge. This, is her husband… well, I guess her soon to be ex-husband. It’s kind of crazy because many of the podcasts of Hollis that I have listened to was of the two of them talking about their relationship and how they keep the ‘love alive’, joke’s on me, I guess? Anyway, I’ve really loved Rachel’s books and found them super inspiring, this one, was not my favorite. You might still really like it because it does pack a lot of information, but because it packed in so much information and so many tips, it almost felt like a CliffNotes version. I felt like at the end of every chapter I thought “wait, they’re not going to talk more about that?”
Okay, now THIS one I loved. It is a fiction book following the family and children of who would have been the royal family of America, if that was a thing. It’s funny how they reference former presidents as Kings, and just to think about the concept as a whole. Either way, I’m kind of a sucker for anything having to do with royalty, and the drama of this family, the dynamic between the siblings, and the cliffhanger at the end? So good! I was so glad that I found and read this book not long before the sequel came out, scroll down to see my review on that one too!
This one took me a while to read. It was hard to get into, and when I did sit down and dedicate myself to it, it was kind of hard to follow. It is the story of four different people and their lives in Paris, well, their completely different lives in Paris. The ending is kind of magical and rather deep, but considering you have to get through four completely different storylines to get to it, I found it rather confusing. I found myself having to backtrack a bit to remind myself who was who and what was what. People smarter than I might not have as hard of a time to follow, but I prefer a book to come together and connect earlier than the last chapter.
Another book that I wanted to read because I thought it would be really good considering it was made into a television series. But, now I’m not even going to waste my time on the series… except maybe for the accents. Everything is more interesting with an accent. To me, nothing happened in this book. Absolutely nothing. It follows a high school boy and girl who develop a relationship then follows that relationship through and after college, but it’s not what you think. It’s not like this crazy love story where people are running through the airport to get to the other. I did not like this book, like, at all. Sorry.
I loved how this book has characters that you don’t normally have in traditional books. I think it’s so important that everyone is represented in literature so that everyone can see themselves in stories and books. It also covers cultural differences and a feeling of identity within cultures, actually super pertinent to this year. It takes place over several decades and follows a few families and does tie back together. I really enjoyed it and think that it’s an important read for everyone.
Everyone needs to read this book. Everyone needs to read Maya Angelou. Period. Her take on her own upbringing and childhood is an eye opening read and her writing, well, incomparable.
Okay, this one is a great one! It’s a mystery and a bit of a drama and I just kept reading and reading and reading! It follows nine strangers (duh) that go to what they think is a health retreat. They signed up for it as individuals, couples, families, thinking they would go to a beautiful health retreat and leave completely different people! Some getting over divorces, some trying to reconnect, some trying to lose weight and find themselves, all sorts of stories. After they get there they realize that it is absolutely nothing like a spa or what they thought and the person that is running it has some secrets of their own. Are you intrigued? Yup! Read it!
Another incredible appropriate book to read this year, this book is an eye opening take on one marriage that goes through an incredible challenge, that they shouldn’t have been in, at all. It will give you another eye opening perspective on the state of our country.
I love Jodi Picoult. Love love love. She somehow always finds a way to make me cry. This follows several different characters through one day that completely changes their lives. It is told backwards chronologically which can be a little difficult to piece together, but kind of what makes it so interesting. Now, it does cover several really sensitive subjects so could be something that a lot of people wouldn’t want to read, but when you read through the story and the stories of the characters, it might even change your mindset on several of the subjects.
Another book that many many people should read. It covers several everyday encounters, experiences, regular everyday events at work that are experienced completely differently based on your race. Anyone who feels like they need an education on the experiences of someone else in our country today should read this book. It will open your eyes to everyday occurrences that sheds more light on the inequality of our nation and people’s ignorant behavior.
This one I read in a day, because I literally couldn’t put it down. By the end of the day I was sitting on the couch absolutely glued to my Kindle, shushing my husband every time I sensed he was about to speak and interrupt the book. This mystery is a total thrill ride and has made me want to read everything else she wrote. It follows the wedding weekend of one glamorous couple on an isolated island and how several of their guests know each other, love each other, and even hate each other. If you’re into thrillers and want a book that will keep twisting and turning and make you want to keep reading no matter what you have going on? This one is for you.
Give me all of the Brene Brown. I love all of her books and will be reading Rising Strong next. I think that everyone needs a reminder that no matter how bad we feel, or guilty, or like an outsider, odds are insanely good that many of the people around you feel the same way. Plus, it is a reminder that those who are making you feel guilty, mom shaming you, or passing those not-so-subtle but oh-so-judgey comments is not an indictment on you. As hard as it may be to remember, but everyone needs a good reminder, thus, needs to read this book.
While I admire Elizabeth Gilbert and hold Eat Pray Love in a special place In my heart, this one was not as revered. I enjoyed the story and the writing kept me reading, however it was another one of those books where the end I feel, had nothing to do with the story as a whole. I felt as if Gilbert wanted to tell the story of a strong woman in a time where women weren’t supposed to be so strong and independent, but wanted to have it connect to present day, however it didn’t quite. I would have liked the story of the young woman and her journey of moving to New York by itself, but the book’s attempt to bring it to present-day and connect it to a different story was, a bit of a stretch. However still entertaining!
This is an impactful book and an amazing story, but it is a different way of writing which can take getting used to. There are several different character’s point of view, so that in combination with the style of writing can be hard at times, but the story and the impact did make for a great book.
Oh my goodness this book! I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect as I bought it on a whim in Target because I had seen the cover so many times. But this was an amazing read. I think it was also one that I read in two days because I just couldn’t put it down. It follows a young woman who has struggled throughout her life with confidence, and when her friend gets married, those struggles actualize in a very dramatic way. There are tons of twists and turns and the writing will keep you reading. Like, until it’s over.
This was the sequel to American Royals and it was so good!! I am a sucker for the drama of the royal family, and it picks up pretty much right where it leaves off. I’m not sure that I like it as much as the first one, but it does give each of the characters conclusion.
So this isn’t exactly the normal book that I read, but seeing as I’m getting more into interior design and people keep asking how I’m studying, I’d figure I would include it. I love anything Joanna Gaines, and this book has tactical and legitimate tips and tricks. Not to mention it has some beautiful pictures and inspiration included. I have had it for a year or so now as a coffee table book, so if you’re not interested in reading the whole thing, it can always act as decor itself!
If you’ve followed Rachel Hollis for a while, you know that she has created an empire. You might also know that a few months ago she announced that she and her husband were getting divorced. This book was originally started in the middle of the pandemic and how to handle loss and difficult situations, I think that when her marriage issues reared its ugly head, she edited the book a bit to include some fo those details. It’s not at funny or uplifting as her usual work, but it is absolutely an inspiring read. It at times doesn’t sound like Rachel, meaning you can tell she has had a very tough few months, but I admire everything she does and think that the courage it took to write this book is no exception. If you like her, you’ll like this book.
So many sales and so little time! Check out this post for my first and best Target Deal Days finds but keep an eye out on my social media and my LTK page for tons more finds throughout the next two days
yup, it’s here!! And if you are like me, these last 9 months have only enhanced your love for Amazon. I have gotten so many items for my DIY projects, great new books, some fabulous home decor finds lately! I mean, the options are endless. So Here is a compilation of my Prime Day finds! And don’t forget to checkout on smile.amazon.com so your purchases go further than just your front doorstep.
Also, you can always check out my Amazon Page for organized lists of great finds.
I’ve been in major DIY mode! I’m sure it has something about being stuck at home all the time and wanting to redecorate, constantly. But I started scouring Instagram a few weeks ago with easy and small DIY projects that would be a fun way to decorate the house here and there.
MUD PLANTERS
If you haven’t been following Bre Bertolini on Instagram, then you’ve been missing out! You’ll probably immediately recognize her mudroom because it has been circulating social media for years! And she has some great DIY projects that anyone can do, like these planters. She actually used this method for a lamp base, but I thought this would be a cool look for some small vases for herbs in the kitchen. I loved the shape of these terra cotta vases that I got from a greenhouse in town here in Minneapolis, but the color was a little off from the rest of the room, so I followed her tutorial step by step, except I did actually do a light coat of clear topcoat spray paint just to give it a little protection. The dried mud doesn’t smell at all, but obviously if you touch it or if it gets wet, that can be tricky and will mess up the “stone” vibe that the mudding gave it.
I might try and find a more permanent way to get this effect that doesn’t include getting mud all over the patio :-/ But these were fun and easy!
Hello, World!
or you can check these out too!
TEXTURED CERAMICS
A Minneapolis photographer that I follow posted her friend doing these and ohhhh my gosh I knew right away I needed to try it out!! I am obsessed with dark and moody colors for this fall, so this was the perfect way to get some decor pieces for fall and not spend a bajillion $$’s on a ton of new vases. I went to TJ Maxx and Home Goods and found a few great vases whose shape would compliment each other, then got the following colors from Sherwin Williams. I followed the tutorial here which is really quite simple: mix two parts paint and 1 part baking soda, adding more baking soda if you want it to be a thicker “paste”, then paint away!
or you can check these out too!
I combined the methods from the mud planter and textured vases to make this lamp! It had tons of grooves so I filled it in with plaster and finished it with a grey paint + baking soda mixture and got a stone-textured lamp!!
CANE DRESSER + CABINETS
So I was first inspired by @brepurposed and her IKEA desk hack, but to be honest the more that I thought about it and the more that I looked into her tutorial, it felt a little involved for me. I am lucky enough to have a mom and some friends that have wood cutting equipment, so I enlisted their help to cut the drawers and cabinet doors of these pieces below to get the effects that I wanted. By getting unfinished wood you are able to paint/stain however you want to, which is much easier than finding/cutting/affixing plywood like Bre’s IKEA hack. Her desk looks AMAZING! I just know that’s way out of my capabilities right now.
I got this dresser from IKEA which is only $40 and this cabinet is $70. The cabinet is actually a part of a shelf unit that you can put together, but I decided to buy some legs and make it a stand-alone.
I measured and marked the drawers/doors so that the wood would create a frame for the cane. After the wood is cut, you can stain all of the pieces the way that you want. I chose black because I love the contrast, but I also love the look of a natural stain too, more of a neutral vibe. You could also stain the cane if you wanted a more cohesive look and less contrasting colors.
Picking the hardware is really fun too! I love pretty much anything that is antiqued brass, and Home Depot has some great options, even Anthropologie has some cool finds too if you’re cool with spending a few more dollars.
or you can check these out too!
CANE + SHERPA OTTOMANS
These almost deserve a post for themselves! And they were much more involved since I built the structure and everything from scratch! Below I included a picture from my stories that broke down how I built the structure and what dimensions I used. I kinda worked with what I had, getting the wood from my mom’s stash. But the really tricky part was when I cut the frame. This was put over the stapled cane for a super clean look, and of course it took me a while to find enough of the 1/4” poplar boards to cover both ottomans, and took even longer to cut them all down!
*what I learned: poplar is not the best for staining. The colors are so different with the boards and tend to blotch, so if you use poplar I would only use it when it’s being painted.
I followed Ria’s tutorial in her stories practically exactly when it came to making the cushions as well! The sherpa was on sale and I have to say it is ssoooo soft! I loved this pick! I layered batting underneath the sherpa to give it more cushioning and volume. I used scotch spray and it worked really well! Just be careful because it will get your work surface (and hands) sticky. For more info check out my DIY stories!
next up…
I cannot wait to do these frames for our apartment in Nashville!! There is an antique store down the street from us here in Minneapolis that always has great vintage prints that would be perfect for this! Not to mention there is cane in a few of the pieces of furniture that we have in there so it will be great to tie it all together. Check out Cynthia Harper’s Instagram too, she is where I got this idea and has some amazing other DIY ideas and overall amazing style.
I also have enough Cane left over to make a few of these trays! And these are gonna be so fun because I can play around with the hardware. Right now I’m going with these because they’re so fun, but simple brass handles could be great too.
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