Author Archives: jewelsathome

Small Foyer, Big Results – Week Eight Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

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I’m excited to wrap up the One Room Challenge. It’s such a great way to motivate yourself to work on projects, and the community is already inspiring and positive. To remind you, I took this opportunity to turn our small, plain entry into a welcoming space that added function and style. I’m happy to say, mission accomplished!

You can see details on my choices and process in the posts from previous weeks. Here are some more pictures of the finished space!

Thank you so much to the One Room Challenge team and Apartment Therapy for a great event! It’s a great motivator and the most positive community. I’m already considering a project for the fall challenge…

You can head over to the One Room Challenge site to see some more room transformations!

Julie AKA “Jewels”

Favorite Retro Flush Mount Lighting – Week Seven Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

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It’s hard to top last week’s Mini Mudroom reveal. The conversion of our standard entry closet in to an eye-catching and functional focal point was a real thrill (True, I don’t get out much!). This week’s project for our foyer makeover was changing out the bland ceiling fixture for something that makes a statement!

Our space is small, and the ceilings are only 8.5′ high, so I was looking for a modest flush mount fixture that would add some character to our entry. Here are the beauties that made the short list:

  1. Ballard Designs Luna Star Ceiling Mount I love this! It’s the inspiration for my final choice – keep reading!
  2. West Elm Sculptural Faceted Flushmount I came so close to picking this! In fact, it’s the light I had on my moodboard from week 1
  3. Pottery Barn Teen Bailey Recycled Glass Flushmount I also came very close to buying this fixture! I particularly like that it echoes the shape of the Serena and Lily Capiz Scalloped Chandelier in the adjacent room, but I digress…
  4. Possini Euro Orilla Ceiling Light This caught my eye for the shape and the elegant timeless look
  5. Gold Star Light Fixture This was my final choice!

I ended up choosing the simple Gold Star Light Fixture, and I paired it with an oversized bulb (affiliate links). It’s not quite as elegant as the inspiration from Ballard Designs, but it’s definitely added style to our little entry way!

I’m going to add some finishing touches and take some more pictures to share for next week’s grand finale! In the meantime, head on back to the One Room Challenge site to see some more room transformations!

Julie AKA “Jewels”

Create an Elegant Customized Organizer

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I dressed up this wooden desk organizer to create some pretty storage in my kitchen. You could use it for a bathroom, office or craft space also! I love tea – and throwing tea parties – so this is perfect … Continue reading →

Mini Mudroom Reveal – Week Six Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

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It’s so satisfying when a space comes together! I knew the hall closet was not working for our family, and now we have a mini mudroom that is functional and also beautiful – I am so happy with the result!

After building the space,

  • I painted the shelves, trim, and ceiling in a semi-gloss paint that I had color-matched to the wallpaper.
  • Next, I hung the beautiful Ronald Redding Aspen wallpaper. If you’re hanging wallpaper that contrasts with your walls, prime the wall (or, if you are lazy like me, paint stripes of primer where the seams will be), so the wall color doesn’t show through at the seams.
  • Finally, I installed these brass coat hooks I found on Etsy. I wanted double hooks for more storage and was looking for something that felt traditional but not too antique, and these turned out great! I did curse the matching flat head screws a few times, because they’re much trickier than a Phillips head, but I managed to install the screws using bigger pilot holes and hand-screwing them in. Now that it’s done, I do like the more clean traditional look of the screws.

Enjoy these photos of all the details!

There’s something so luxurious about a glossy dark painted ceiling… even if it is in a closet 🙂

In

I would never have guessed that a closet could make me so happy!

Be sure to go back to the One Room Challenge site to see some more room transformations!

Julie AKA “Jewels”

Favorite Blue Chinoiserie Wallpapers – Week Five Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

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Since I chose a smaller project for this challenge, I have some time to show you all the details! Wallpaper is a really popular right now, and I’m loving this new-again trend! Ever since I wallpapered an accent wall in our bedroom, I’ve been looking for my next project. The choices are nearly endless, which made picking a pattern for our mini-mudroom both daunting and fun! Here are some of my favorites, including high vs. budget options.

My criteria were:

  • Blue or green, of course!
  • A bold print – a small space is the perfect spot to try something brave!
  • A modern twist on a traditional pattern, with a nod to chinoiserie

First, I was really drawn to these patterns with metallic branches on a dark background. The “high” option on the left is Nutcracker by Juliet Travers. It’s so elegant, and the little squirrel adds a whimsical touch! The “budget” version on the right is Colby Floral wallpaper. I think either of these would be beautiful, but I decided I wanted something a littler bolder for this project.

I was really considering these next two favorites: a “budget” version is Crown Sherwood Woodland in Dark Blue on the left, and the “high” version is Rifle Paper Co. Menagerie Toile in Navy and Metallic Silver. They have a bit of a chinoiserie feel to them, and I really like how the patterns are very elaborate, but they don’t feel too busy, because of being two-toned. I was definitely tempted by the metallic finish of the Rifle Paper one, also!

I was also very drawn to this Toile pattern by Borastapeter in green or blue. Ultimately, I think the scale would be better for a bigger space. I would love this in a dining room!

Finally, I decided to go with this beautiful print, the Ronald Redding Aspen wallpaper in dark blue. I love the mix of classic and whimsical and the dark teal blue color with light brown accents that will be brought out by the wood cabinet and the brass coat hooks. I knew it was meant to be when I realized that this is the same pattern that was in the powder room of our rental house. I always loved it, and I am very sentimental , so it makes me really happy to have that connection between the two homes.

Stay tuned to see the wallpaper installed in the mini mudroom next week! In the meantime, head on back to the One Room Challenge site to see some more room transformations!

Julie AKA “Jewels”

Building a Mini Mudroom – Week Four Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

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I am so excited to share this build! At our old house, we had a cloakroom-type space, with shoe racks and coat hooks. That space was not directly visible from the living areas, so I did not mind it being a bit more more casual and utilitarian. I was looking for the same functionality in our new home, but I was a bit stumped by how to accomplish this with a small hallway closet that is immediately visible from the entry and living room. I researched various closet conversion ideas, but many of them seemed more casual than what I was looking for. I knew I had finally found my solution when I stumbled on the “California Mudroom” created by Jessica D’Itri Marés of Renovate 108 featured on Real Simple (below right) Can you see ours (below left) coming together? Please say “yes!”

This project involved just the right level of DIY for me – I got to work on my skills but not get too stressed. In this post, I will share the construction steps to convert a standard hall closet into a mini mudroom. I’ve been chipping away on this project for a while (because job! and kids!), and now I am excited to bring you up to speed with where I am!

Here’s how to do it:

  • Remove the door and door hardware
  • Use a pry bar to remove the door stop trim, so the opening looks more like a framed entry than a doorway
  • Remove the hanging rod
  • Patch holes – in addition to spackle and caulk, I used some craft sticks and wood glue to fill in the areas where the door hardware was attached. I’m sure that’s just what the professionals do!
  • Add shelves to the top. Mine already had one shelf, and I wanted to add a second. Both shelves are supported on wide trim, mounted into the studs.
  • The wide trim will be perfect for installing hooks
  • Patch and caulk
  • Prime all the surfaces

Now that the structure is in place, the fun begins… Actually, the building was very fun! But anyway, next up is painting, wallpaper, and accessories!

Be sure to visit the One Room Challenge page to see more home transformations!

Julie AKA “Jewels”

FREE Campaign Cabinet – Week Three Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

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While I get the main project – our mini-mudroom – ready, I’ll show you more of the smaller projects going into our foyer makeover. I wanted closed storage for shoes, and I didn’t want it to look obvious or utilitarian. After spending too much (or just the right amount) of time browsing options for new or thrifted furniture, I found the perfect piece! If there’s anything you know about me, it’s likely my addiction to vintage furniture. Free is best, as is anything mid-century and/or with an Asian influence. Call it a gift, a fatal flaw, or just many hours browsing Craigslist… I spotted this free(!) cabinet and saw that the hardware had a beautiful mix of campaign and Asian details.

When I first saw it, I assumed it was too big for our space. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and I when I asked for dimensions, it turns out this is a petite cabinet that fits perfectly inside of our closet!

The wood finish was too pretty to paint, but it had a lot of scratches and marks on it, especially on top. I briefly thought about trying to refinish it, but it is veneer, and I’ve never done that before. I decided to try sanding it lightly and then using furniture polish – I’m happy to report that it worked!

I made some other modifications, because we are using this as a shoe cabinet. I painted a strip of wood block and installed it behind the front legs, so that we would not get too much dust and other stuff stuck underneath. I also lined the inside with clear, contact paper, and drilled some holes in the back, so that we can store shoes inside.

Next week, I’ll show you the mini-mudroom build, and we’ll see some big changes in this small space. In the meantime, head over to the One Room Challenge page to see more fun projects!

Julie AKA “Jewels”

“Tile” Vinyl Floor Mats – Week Two – Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

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Ready, set, go! While I work away on projects for the space, I’ll share some of the other features of our foyer. One element that always gets comments and questions is the “tile” floor mat. I bought this mat for our rental house, because I didn’t want us to track water onto the wood floor, and luckily, it fits in our new home’s hallway also!

The flooring looks like tile or a carpet, but it’s actually a vinyl floor mat. I bought mine from ArtMatHome on Etsy, and I love their patterns and variety of sizes. This type of product is getting more and more popular, so there are many options available, and I’ll share some more of my favorite finds here!

Here are some photos of the floor mat in our rental house:

And here are some others that I’ve got my eye on!

Clockwise from top left:

  1. Hexagon Mosaic Tile Mat
  2. Floral Tile Mat
  3. Geometric Tile Mat
  4. Mosaic Tile Pattern Vinyl Mat
  5. Tile Border Floor Mat

Check out more projects at the One Room Challenge site!

This post includes affiliate links.

Up next week, details on one of my favorite (I’m kidding – they’re all my favorite! – vintage furniture finds)!

Julie AKA “Jewels”

Decorative Paper Storage Boxes Inspired by Antoinette Poisson

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Making these decorative paper storage boxes makes me so happy! Like many of my other creations, it started by seeing something beautiful and wondering “how could I make that?!” In this case, it started by seeing these gorgeous Antoinette Poisson … Continue reading →