mentioned last week that Aaron and I are building a desk large enough for us to share. We’re using found and/or otherwise free materials, resulting in a quirky but functional table. Here is a reminder of what it looked like last week:
We wanted a wide plank top, made from boards original used in the tobacco barns dotting the family farm. Aaron and his father went out there yesterday to pick them up, cut them to size, and plane them on one side. The justification for planing them on only one side is that it needed to be flat on at least one side so the top wasn’t too janky and wobbly. Nevertheless, we really wanted the rustic look that resulted from the 100+ years of sun, wind, and rain exposure.
I was very excited to get home from work and see their progress. I absolutely loved what they did! The bonus is that the table is perfectly large enough for both of us to have space without taking over the room.
Of course we will need chairs for our new workstation. I scoured the house for suitable pieces and chose two slipper chairs my aunt-in-law picked up for us at a yard sale for $10! They came covered in a nubby, orange polyester that is both dated and uncomfortable to the touch. I would love to have these chairs recovered, but don’t really have an extra $150 to spend on reupholstering, not to mention the cost of whatever fabric I might select. So I decided to go the cheap route and make slipcovers! I wasn’t very concerned about what fabric to select for my covers because a) this is the first time I’ve ever made slipcovers and b) this is only a temporary fix. Here is one of the chairs to give you a visual:
I went to Garden Ridge during my lunch break to pick up some fabric. For some reason they have a several large tables stacked with fabric remnants at about 2 or so yards for $5.99. Their selection isn’t that bad and the price cannot be beat. I picked up four yards after rummaging through the pile for half and hour, all for a total cost of $13. I chose a red/orange tweed that goes well with the existing colors in the new office and will hide dirt, always a desirable quality with kids and dogs.
Here’s a close-up of the fabric:
I had already given a thought during the day about how I was going to assemble my slipcover, with particular emphasis on the quickest and easiest way to put it together. After dinner was done, kitchen cleaned, and little man went to bed, I went to work. I cut out three pieces, 1) for the back, 2) for the skirt and sides, and 3) for the front seat and back support, measuring very carefully. Once the peices were all cut out, it seriously only took me 15 minutes to assemble each slipcover; hem included. I surpised myself about how easy it was. Even Hubs agreed that they turned out pretty well. Although I’m pleased with how they turned out, I think they need some type of trim around the bottom to give them a bit more interest; at the moment they look just so…basic.
The only tasks left now are to paint and frame a large chalkboard on the wall for Aaron’s notes and clean out the old office. It should be done in no time! I am also hoping I can convince Hubs to let me buy an 8 x 10 grass rug for the space. (fingers crossed!)
Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische
ven though we spent the majority of this past weekend relaxing with our Charleston visitors, I did manage to finish a project I’ve been putting off for a while. You wouldn’t assume that hanging wallpaper in a 4 x 8 space, particularly having to cover only the upper half of the wall, would take so long. Alas, it did. There are simply some projects that I have a hard time self-motivating to start/complete. Hanging wallpaper always falls into that category.
lackberries bring back pleasant memories for me, particularly of my Granny. She and my PawPaw had a blackberry bush behind their house in Williston, South Carolina. When I visited them, she would award me the task of picking a basket full which she then would use to make the best blackberry cobbler I’ve ever tasted. I remember getting a slice when it was still warm from the oven, served with a complimentary scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!
ith the air warming, green appearing, and guests arriving for the weekend, I was inspired to bring some of all the Spring loveliness into my own home. I personally love having fresh flowers, branches, and other natural elements around because of their textural and and visual charm. They bring cheer and life to any room! 
ack in the day, I used to make seperate, hand-drawn cards for all the special people in my life for the holidays, for thank-you’s, thinking-of-you thoughts, etc. Of course, I was also in college and had no real responsibilities other than a fun day job and my education. Nowadays, I still try to send out cards to family and friends, but they are typically of one design rather than individual, personalized creations. And so it is with Easter.
aron was out of town Monday for work to go to Charleston, SC of all places. I was envious to say the least since three (three!) of our good friends have had babies in the last several months and I have yet to see them. Shame on me! Not that there wasn’t lots to do to keep my mind off of his absence given that I still had an almost 3 year old and puppy to tend. I wanted to do something fun with Little Man and take advantage of our time together. And what better way is there to do that than to make cookies?
urlap may not be a textile you want to snuggle against at night. Nevertheless, it has a gorgeous textural quality about it that exudes rustic beauty. I picked up two yards the other day at Hobby Lobby for $3.00 (what a deal!) with the intention to make cord covers for two hanging lanterns. Although I have to yet to actually get around to doing this project, I did use my new swath of burlap for something else. 
ray is one of my favorite colors to paint walls. It provides a moody quality to any room and a museum quality backdrop for artwork. During the first month in our new home, I settled on a soft shade of gray for the living room. After all was said and done, I decided I did not like the color. The main reason was that this room gets no direct light and is Western facing. So while it has a lovely view of sunsets, the gray makes the room appear much mor drab than it is. In turn, the drabness is rather off-putting. There was only one solution: paint it.
