Around the Web

Even though this winter hasn't been drastically cold or snowy, it's still been winter and hibernation is hard to fight.  While my to-do list continues to grow, so does my inspiration list, so I figured I would share some things that have caught my attention around the web recently. *Please practice responsible pinning and sourcing by visiting the original sources that I have linked, and pin directly from their pages.  Thanks!!**

White kitchens are EVERYWHERE these days.  I'm guilty of a few myself, but there are so many more options than just replacing or painting cabinets when it comes to modernizing and freshening up a dark, dated kitchen.  Jen Stagg took her client's space from dark and gloomy to bright and airy.  Check out the befores and more juicy afters on her blog, With Heart.

As a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady, I'm always drawn to cat furniture that doesn't look it.  This gorgeous piece from the Korean pet furniture company, Stay Stay would look just as chic displaying a record collection and turntable as it does as a cat bunkbed.

image via A.Park.C.

If you haven't seen Target's new kids home collection, Pillowfort by now, you might be living under a rock, but I'd be happy to help you see the light.  I swear every time I turn around, Target is stepping up their style game.  While all together, the items create adorable kid spaces, many of the items could mix amazingly in with almost any decor to add a whimsical touch.  I mean, come on.... there's a stuffed unicorn head to mount on your wall.  10 year old me wants one.  Next friend to have a baby is getting the octopus (because it's probably not socially acceptable for a 31 year old with no kids to buy herself one...)

And if you're just itching for Spring, like I am, an easy switch-up to brighten your space is artwork.  Over the weekend, I came across this post of a very simply DIY macrame wall hanging on Brit+Co.  Normally textile wall hangings are a bit too boho for my particular tastes, but this one's just simple and graphic.  I dig it.

Speaking of simple and graphic, fresh off the blog presses this morning: Everything is Awesome.  Chelsea at Lovely Indeed whipped up this printable artwork that's sure to get the Lego Movie song stuck in your head, which I consider a bonus- that song always boosts my energy by about 75%!

What's caught your attention in recent days?  Are you adding DIYs to your spring to do list like I am?

High-Low Challenge

Before we get to the fun stuff I have planned for today, I want to invite you to join me in a happy dance!  3 years ago this week was the biggest leap of my life.  I quit my job at an architecture firm and bought a house for the sole purpose to flip.  It still seams unreal.  3 years has been a blink of the eye and simultaneously a lifetime.  5 houses in 3 years ain't too shabby.  I'm also pleased to say that Dori is finally about to be handed off to her new owners and soon we'll focus on finding a house full of character to be my next flip challenge.  And now on to the fun!  

High/Low Challenge! 

Here's how it works.  In each category, one item will be higher priced and one more budget friendly.  Can you guess which is which??  Leave your guesses in the comments before you click any source links- no cheating!!

Let's start small.

Marble table lamps:

Fun and flirty tassel pillows:

And how about some gorgeous

Danish modern side chairs:

Lamps- 1/2, Pillows- 1/2, Chairs-1/2

Well, what are your votes?  Which are the more expensive pieces??  I may have tried to stump you just a little bit, but great proof that great style doesn't always have to break the bank!!

Have a great weekend!

DIY TV Cabinet Complete

I'm all done leading you on and ready to reveal my final DIY TV cabinet!  Before we get to the reveal, take a peek back at the building process. Now that I'm working primarily out of my home office/den I wanted to put more emphasis on the home office part instead of the den part.  This meant making the TV less of a focus.  I can't exactly hide the ugly elliptical that also sits in the room, but considering it's behind me while I'm at my desk I can pretend that it's not there.  There was no ignoring the big black box in front of me.

So like any crazy normal person, I decided to build a solution.  It still needs some minor tweaking to allow the doors to slide better, but HELLO!

To mount it, I screwed the back directly into studs.  I wouldn't hang on it, but it's not going anywhere.

So during Copper Dot hours, the room is all business...

...and when work time is over, the room becomes the den once again and the frames slide open to reveal the TV.

With the frames being the star (and currently sporting temporary DIY art) I wanted to keep the styling as simple as possible on the sides.

Don't be surprised to see some of this art evolve by the time I get to the final completion of the space.  For now, the 4 frames are filled with art from a $3 Target calendar that I couldn't resist.  It was from "The Spot" so it's not on their site.  That little corner of Target is dangerous....

Embrace the mess.  Amen!  It's killing me, but I can't find the source of this awesome print.  Even Pinterest and Google Images failed me.  It was a free download ages ago that I've just been waiting to incorporate somewhere.  If you know where it originated, please share- I want to give credit where it's due and share the source with you guys!

Seeing this part of the room come together just make me eager for the rest of the pieces to come together.  A roman shade, finishing my chair, and refacing the cubbie fronts will put the cherry on top of this make-over.

So what do you think??  Was my DIY TV cabinet worth the wait?