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 →

Small Foyer, Big Plans – Week One Spring 2023 One Room Challenge

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  • Week One – Small Foyer Inspiration

I’m really excited to take on our foyer for this One Room Challenge. It’s the first space you see coming into the house, and it’s visible from our living room, so I wanted to give it some style! This is a small area – basically a hallway and a closet, so the project feels very doable, but as the title says, I have big plans!

The biggest part of this challenge will be converting our closet to a “mini mudroom.” I’m also sharing our flooring, which always gets lots of comments, a fabulous free furniture makeover, and a new ceiling light fixture. Here are some inspiration pictures for our “new” foyer. I’m so excited to share the process and results!

I knew I wanted to transform our hall closet into some kind of attractive open storage, and it took me a while to land on a design. The closet conversion that best matched my vision is this gem by designer Jessica D’Itri Marés of Renovate 108 featured on Real Simple.

“California Mudroom” Jessica D’Itri Marés

I also love this closet makeover by Jeweled Interiors.

Closet conversion by Jeweled Interiors
However, it turns out, we can all be assured it is better than the starting point!

Definitely go back to the One Room Challenge page to see all the other participants’ projects!

I’m looking forward to sharing this project! Here we go!

Julie AKA “Jewels”

Making a Spring Floral Wreath

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I don’t do that much seasonal decorating (except for my very over-the-top Christmas decorating, of course!). Maybe, it is because San Francisco does not have traditional seasons? Anyway, after our cool and wet winter, I really felt like celebrating Spring … Continue reading →

Five Tricks for Making Realistic Silk Floral Arrangements

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I love treating myself to real fresh flowers, but sometimes, we all need the low-maintenance burst of color that comes from “silk” flowers. I have a few favorite tips to create arrangements that look almost as good as the real … Continue reading →

Quick, Easy, No-Sew(!) Ways to Add Room-Darkening Lining to Your Curtains

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I wish I were a better sleeper. Trust me, I really do. I’m sensitive to light when sleeping, so room-darkening window coverings are a must! I’ve found some quick tricks that I’m excited to share for adding lining to existing … Continue reading →

Customizing an IKEA Hemnes China Cabinet

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You know how much I love a good furniture makeover! Sometimes, it’s about a dramatic transformation, like this mid-century dresser, these stenciled nightstands, or my Thomasville faux bamboo bar cabinet. Other times, you just need a few changes to transform … Continue reading →

How to Hang a Mirror or Art on a Bookcase

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So, my weakness (talent?!) for finding home decor on the street is well-established. Remember when I made over this cute Chinese end table? Well, I was walking over to meet a friend for lunch today, and I saw this mirror … Continue reading →

The Cutest and Handiest Zipper Pouches

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YEARS ago, I bought a cute zipper pouch ages ago at a Signatures craft fair in Toronto. The size is perfect for sunglasses, lip gloss, hair ties, ear buds, or other little items you want to corral in your purse. Since I recently conquered my fear of zippers when I made the box cushion covers for my new chairs, I decided to try making some of these little pouches myself. It’s such a fun project to use small scraps of fabric and combine colors and patterns.

I followed the instructions from icansewthis, which lays out the steps very clearly. The dimensions for this pouch use 4.5″x9″ rectangles to make a finished size of approximately 4″ x 8.5″

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 2x Outside fabric pieces: 4.5″x9″ each
  • 2x Lining fabric pieces: 4.5″x9″ each
  • 2x zipper tab fabric: 1.5″x2″ each
  • zipper
  • Optional: fusible interfacing for outside pieces, if you are using a lighter weight fabric

I made pouches from vintage kimonos, favorite scraps, and also some of fabrics I designed myself. If you want to check out my fabric collection, here’s my shop on Spoonflower. You can have have fun mixing and matching zipper colors and linings!

Happy sewing !

Julie AKA “Jewels”