DIY Jewelry Box

A few months back I posted a DIY crafts post where you could take ordinary items and convert them into fun decor ideas. One piece I mentioned was an old-fashioned cheese grader that someone had painted and then hung earrings in. That one really stuck with me, so recently I took on my own jewelry box project. Awhile back, at a trip to the Brimfield fair, I picked up an old Pepsi crate. When I first got it home I worried an impulse buy lead me to owning a useless box, but after playing around with it I have made it into a hanging jewelry box that showcases my long necklaces! Once I decided what I wanted to do with it, it was a simple Saturday project! I found blue screws that match the paint on the box and used those as hooks to hang jewelry on. I picked up some fun boxes at The Paper Store to put in the bottom to hold earings, bracelets, and rings!

From the side view you can see how the boxes in the bottom hold misc. items and you can see the vintage design of the crate.

Here you can see what the boxes look like. They are the perfect size and their fun design really adds to the overall look of the jewelry box!

In the end I even put my old jewelry box on top. It was much smaller, but had creative wood carvings on it, so now it holds pictures I want to hang onto! You can take this DIY craft in a number of directions. I went with a vintage box because it goes with the theme of our condo, but you can find all kinds of discarded boxes and crates at fairs and antique shops. The Paper Store is a great place to find items to add to you jewelry box once you find one you like.

Mason Jars in Action!

Even though this Sunday was muggy and hot my mom and I braved the heat to hit up the SOWA Market’s in the South End. The outdoor markets are a great place to find unique gifts, decor, and fun additions to your space. After last weeks mason jar post I was determined to find a way to incorporate them into my space. SOWA has a great outdoor organic market and I found bundles of purple and white stasis flowers for a great deal! Stasis not only have a great scent, but after giving them 2 inches of water they will dry on their own and last a lot longer than regular arrangements. This bundle was a very doable price and after mixing and matching the dark purple, light purple, and white flowers together I had 7 full mason jars to work with!

After arranging the bundles I played around with different areas that I felt they would work in!

I put three jars on our coffee table…

One in our bathroom – which I hadn’t planned on but ended up really liking!

I made a larger bundle in a glass vase to leave in our kitchen.

Being able to tie your rooms together (without going overboard) can add a lot of character, and I am a strong believer that flowers of any kind really brighten up your space. There is no need to break the bank with flowers, or feel like you are constantly replacing them. Something like stasis, or dried lilacs, get the job done and won’t kill your budget!

Marimekko has arrived in Boston!

Marimekko has been a design icon and trend setter since 1951. The line brings bright colors, imaginative patterns and trendy on-point style to the forefront. I have always been a huge fan of their bedding and decorative pillow lines, but they also have clothing, wall paper, and an entire home line as well!

The new store is at 140 Newbury Street and has just been added to my summer must see list! Check out the article below!

Marimekko comes to Boston – Design New England – Boston.com.

Below are some of my favorite designs…

Mason Jars Galore!

Mason jar decor has been on the scene for a while now, but recently I am seeing them being used a lot more. Brad and I recently put up our mason jar chandelier and this is really where my inspiration hit. After seeing an outburst of mason jar ideas on Pinterest, a highlight piece in Easy Decorating Magazine (a guilty pleasure read of mine), and seeing them hanging in my dining room, I decided it was time to get in gear and find out how I was going to incorporate more of them into our space.

We have a very open living/dining room/kitchen layout to our condo so I want to use mason jars to tie the rooms together while turning them into the decor theme. My plan is to purchase 8-10 jars and place them around the condo in areas where they will tie the rooms together and add a splash of color.

I am planning to use dried lilacs because the purple works well with the color combinations in our condo. I like dried flowers because they have a longer shelf life but fresh floral arrangements can look great too.

Another place they are being used are as wedding centerpieces. It is a great way to create a very whimsical feel while not going overboard with centerpiece arrangements. Brad and I attended a beautiful wedding on Cape Cod this past weekend where mason jars were used and I just loved the idea.

These are not the centerpieces from the Cape Cod wedding – these were found on Violet Hills Wedding page where a number of other fun wedding designs are showcased.

Love the idea of putting pictures in them! Cheaper than frames and something not everyone will have!

Mason jars are a fun and easy way to add a new theme or splash of color to your space. If you feel the floral arrangements do not transition between the seasons it is inexpensive and a quick change to find a more seasonally appropriate piece to put in your jar. Consider coffee beans, floating candles, or pieces of birch and sticks for transitional seasons.

 

A Tour I Have Been Waiting For!

Check out this article posted by Elle Decor! It is a full tour of Reese Witherspoon’s California ranch. Not only is Witherspoon one of my favorite actresses, her home is one I have coveted for a long time! Designer Kristen Buckingham did an outstanding job!

Reese Witherspoon’s Home Designed by Kristen Buckingham on ELLEDECOR.com.

Love!