My Weekend Project : Thrift Store Chair Makeover

This weekend I decided to start on a project I've had sitting in my basement waiting for me all year long. The former ugly green plaid ripped cushion had taunted me every time I walked past it with thoughts of "remember when you bought me for $3? Remember when you thought I was cool? Remember when you were going to reupholster me right away and then left me here for months?"

As you can see I was ready to get going with this. But mostly because I LOVE this chair. The shape of it is so great and its also super comfy. I have been trying to hone in on my personal interior design style lately, and have settled on a love child between bohemian and modern-Scandinavian. AKA this chair's new makeover. 

Around Here Lately

African violets

A few images from around the house lately, because its been awhile. Spending today editing photos, organizing inventory and updating the website. Hope your weekend was fun and relaxing, I am happy to say that mine was : ) Happy Monday!

The fattest bird that sits in the tree outside the kitchen window eating berries every morning

Sometimes when you are estate-saling, you dig up an original painting in the exact color scheme you are going for in your living room in a dusty old basement. Then you buy it for $1 and hang it up pronto.

An unusual day of matching socks

The coolest paint markers I got for Christmas

Plants : )

Another great Christmas present to add to my stoneware mug collection ^

An antique lamp in my favorite colors

Wooden fruit

My shop is taking over my house. Sorry, husband.

Vintage Inspiration : OldSchoolSwank Home & Halloween Sale

Image / Wall Hanging

Image / Framed Needlepoint

Image / Napkin Set

OldSchoolSwank Home is having a 20% off Halloween Sale beginning today and ending at midnight on Halloween. Here's a little dose of inspiration with some of my favorite items from the shop and some of my favorite interiors featured on Design Sponge!

4 Fun DIY Home Projects

I have been in a bit of a DIY project / reorganize everything in your house / rearrange all the furniture mood this week. I finally printed out a bunch of photos I had been wanting to frame and the house feels so much warmer with them all around. Next up are some little projects for around the house to add a little character. Here is a little roundup of some fun DIYs I found around the web - I especially like the lap desk for drinking tea and reading a magazine in bed. Hope your weekend was fab! 

1. Pom Pom Wall Hanging - A Beautiful Mess

2. Copper Clothing Rack - Cupcakes and Cashmere

3. Spray Paint Marbled Planters - Vintage Revivals

4. Wood & Hairpin Leg Lap Desk - The Merrythought

Summer Cottage Inspiration

Kayaking around this weekend and last, I had a ton of fun peeking in at the camps and cottages nestled in along the shores of Lake Champlain. I grew up going to a family summer camp on the lake with all my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents every summer for a week or two, and when I see a cozy, comfortable looking lake house it reminds me of the great times we would have all together. Playing cards, water-skiing, making s'mores by the campfire on the beach; time just seemed to slow down and everything seemed a little more special. I got a little caught up on the internet dreaming up what my future lake cottage might look like, so I'm sharing some of my inspiration with you guys. These three places have some great details to them that would look great in any summer place, with lots of vintage additions (duh). And apparently I have a thing for blue. Enjoy!

1. A relaxed bungalow in Portland, Oregon

2. A Swedish "Kolonistuga"

3. An elegant cottage in Muskoka

Vintage Inspiration 15

Image Source Planter Tapestry Ottoman Rug

Image Source Globe Fawn Crewel Cutting Board Carafe

This and That : Around The House

Some photos of little details around the house lately. I'll be spending this rainy day organizing my office, drinking coffee and listing some new vintage. Love days like that : ) Hope everyone's weekend was great!

More photos after the jump >

How To : Sew A Throw Pillow Cover

I've been working on little home projects this week, mainly just trying to tie things together in each room so that they look finished. One project I had been planning for a while was to change up the throw pillows in our living room by sewing new covers for them. Our pillows are all blue at the moment, which with a blue couch and two blue chairs is, well, a lot of blue. 

I had found this great vintage fabric while thrifting a couple months ago that I knew I wanted to use somewhere in the house, and this seemed like the perfect project to make use of it with. I knew the basics of making the envelope-backed pillow cover, but wanted to make sure I did it right so I followed THIS tutorial. The whole process is fairly simple, but I figured I would share it with you in case it inspires you to do the same! It's such an easy way to change up a room quickly and add a pop of color. Read after the jump for step by step instructions.

Tuesday Inspiration : Mexican Embroidery

1 2 3 4

I am obsessing over Mexican embroidery lately, especially in home goods. I mean, how cool is that throw pillow? I might try to make my own version later tonight, as we are about to be snowed in for a day or two.

This and That : Around the House

An outdoor plant brought in for the winter. Crossing my fingers I don't kill it like a few plant friends of his before him. Also some new pictures I finally got around to printing out.

A stained glass lamp I found for 3 dollars at Goodwill. It adds such a cozy light at night time.

Mexican painting I found in Saratoga while thrifting with my mom a few weeks ago (do I thrift too much? Probably)

Clementine season is the best season.

Cherishing any bit of sunlight the Vermont winter will give me. 

Still unpacking from Thanksgiving. I feel like we brought half our belongings with us for three days.

It's been a busy but good week around here. Lots of cleaning, cooking, planning, working, shop-listing, and shipping. I am still slowly getting the house decorated how I want it, it takes a while! I am trying to find things I really, truly like, instead of just filling the space with whatever I have. Also the winter months bring a lot more cookin' for this family of two. I just feel much more inspired to try out new recipes when I am stuck inside out of the cold. Maybe I will share a few of my favorites soon ; )

This and That : A Busy Tuesday

Early morning sun coming in through the front door always puts me in such a great mood.

A messy, but productive, office space.

My favorite little houseplant that just keeps growing and growing (and a yard that needs to be raked).

My bouquet from my best friend's wedding a couple weeks ago, still looking beautiful.

Retro art gets me every time. Borderline ugly? Makes it even better!

Chia seed pudding. That's right, Pinterest, I DID make one of the recipes I pinned. Hah. And it was awesome. And awesomely easy. You just mix the seeds with coconut milk (I used a coconut/ almond blend) and a little vanilla and let it sit overnight. The next morning, its like tapioca pudding for breakfast. Just add a little fruit : )

Tuesday Inspiration

1 2 3 4

I've been loving pops of bright color in interiors lately, especially when the rest of the space is a neutral. So bright and cheery, without being too much.