Where's the closest closet?

My internet died all day yesterday and half of today, which was frustrating, but also kind of nice.  It's probably good for the soul to have an internet detox once in a while. Even though my 'detox' was mostly me forlornly stabbing at my iPad every few minutes to see if there was life there, I didn't hate it.  I'll tell you what I did hate though, the marathon phone call to customer service to get it fixed.  Especially when there was like, a 15-second delay between us: 

"Hi, I'm having trouble with my internet."
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"Is anyone ther—"You are having trouble with your internet, is this correct?
"Yes, it hasn't worked since yesterday."
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"Hel—"It stopped working yesterday, is this correct?

Ugh! But we're back in business now. I missed you internet *snuggle snuggle*.  Anyway, it happens to be the first day of summer vacation here! If that news kinda makes you want to lock yourself in the closet, it's OK.  Here are some fabulously made-over closets you might never want to leave.

 
Vel had already converted this closet into a craft room, now she just needed to convert it into a cute and functional craft room closet. She painted the drawers, added a ton of organizational features and used every last inch of wall space for hanging a gallery of craftin' inspiration.  Did you notice the plastic storage drawers got a makeover too?  See how on Vel's blog Life & Home at 2101.

Kristen frequently has overnight guests in her home, so she decided to spruce up this little guest-room closet, which wasn't at all sprucey.  Whereas I probably would have slapped on a coat of white paint and called it eh, good enough, she went the extra mile and added a little element of Louisville hospitality.  Perfect for her clothes-horse friends!  See more on her blog Twenty Paper Links

And finally, Tricia may not be able to use her closet as a hideout, but she probably opens it up just to gaze in organizational awe at it now. Before, a crammed and crowded avalanche of bedsheets waiting to happen.  After, a clean and colorful closet of calm! I love those Swiss Army baskets and the chrome shelf dividers. And the white paint makes all the difference too. There's totally value in refreshing a space like this that probably only you will see. It's like Feng Shui for the mind!  See it on her blog Simplicity in the South.

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Metal Heads

If you want to be 'fashion forward' consider adding some metallic looks to your wardrobe, like so:

Hmmm ... maybe this is a little too fashion forward.  Maybe you don't want to look like a gold-plated Indiana Jones. Or an unopened Pop-Tart. Or like you picked up two dead things and forgot to put them down.  Never fear. You can still hop on the metallic bandwagon in the comfort of your own home, with your furniture instead!


Julie at Simple Redesign added decorative aluminum sheeting over the worn-out wicker of this dresser.  It adds just the perfect amount of sparkle without taking anything away from the dresser's sleek, modern shape. I love the deeper stain of the wood now too.  Mmmmmhrrmmm.  That's the sound of a grunt of approval.

And Stephanie discovered this cast-off dresser in a dumpster and was able to make magic with it, even though the middle drawer was missing. She simply removed the drawer next to it, and replaced them both with the top drawers. However, the top drawers are smaller than the other drawers, so what did she use to hide the gap?  Strips of metal of course!  This would look awesome prancing down any runway.  Check out more on her blog The Hardscrabble Home.

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Splish, Splash It's a Brand New Backsplash

If you're going to do a backsplash, for crying out loud, DO A BACKSPLASH!  What is going on with that weenie little square thing behind the stove here? How very puny and strange it looks. It should be called a backsplish.

Obviously, Shavonda at A Home Full Of Color wasn't feeling it, or anything else about this overly tan kitchen, and swapped it all out for a cool blue and gray color scheme and a beautiful brag-worthy backsplash.

She also lightened things up even more with open cabinets in this area, although there are no pics of the other side of the kitchen, which I'd love to see. Show us more, Shavonda!
 

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Cheers for Chairs

There are some things that are best purchased in pairs, if possible. Lamps. Chairs. Implants.  Just a few suggestions. But today, let's talk about pairs of chairs. Amanda at Mommy Is CooCoo was lucky enough to find this perfectly nice set of linen chairs, but wasn't feeling their conservative non-vibe.  She's got more of an eclectic style, if her metallic damask wallpaper hadn't already tipped you off.  Slipcovers to the rescue!  They add so much more color and drama, yet can be easily switched out on a whim, which I suspect happens often at Amanda's house.

And Kristen found this set of chairs, alike in shape and size and general disrepair, but brought them back to life with a deep turquoise and fun print. Did you know that it's good marital Feng Shui to have pairs of chairs in the bedroom?  Lamps too. I'll leave that other one up to you. See more on Kristen's blog Cat Eyed KP.

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A Garage Mirage

When you hear the name 'Shelley' from Custom Slipcovers by Shelley, it will probably ring a bell, because I've featured her several times and done a couple giveaways of her "How To Slipcover" DVD.  She is the real deal.  She started making slipcovers for her own home just a few years ago, and became so darn good at it that it quickly turned it into a full time job. 

And she was quickly outgrowing her space.  She envisioned a roomy studio with plenty of workspace and storage, and decided that converting her garage was the best way to go. Once her husband realized that he would no longer be hauling furniture down into the basement, or tripping over furniture crammed into the spare bedroom and garage, oh, and that it would pay for itself, he was on board too, and the dream became a reality.

Check out Shelley's dining room chair slipcovers and living room makeover, and learn more about her instructional DVD here.

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Come away with me, to Craigslist Island...

Julie's kitchen needed a kitchen island, but you know how custom islands can be. Essspensive. She didn't want to spend big bucks, she only wanted to spend about $100 bucks, which is exactly how much she paid for this massive buffet she found on Craigslist.  Pros: sturdy and solid.  Cons: fakey-fake veneer and not actually tall enough to be a kitchen island.  Did that stop her?  Don't be a silly pants.  Of course not. 

She worked some magic underneath to raise it up to counter-height, then added extra trim around the bottom. Then she primed and painted over the veneer and topped it off with a new zinc countertop, large enough to overhang so her family could belly up to the buffet, er, island. Fabulous.

Check out on her blog Tre Sorelle Cottage to see how she disguised the backside!

PS: Our hearts are heavy and prayers are with you, Oklahoma.

If you are looking for ways to help, look here.

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Detective Detergent

If my deducing skills are up to snuff, I'd say we have another case of 'entering the home through the laundry room' on our hands.  I came to this conclusion by observing the deadbolt on the door and the coathooks and rug nearby.  Or maybe I've been watching too much Elementary lately.  (Have you been watching it?  It's so good. The finale knocked my socks off!)

But back to the case. When I noted that Krista had disguised her telltale washer and dryer with a cute little curtain, I knew for certain that this was no ordinary laundry room.  And my suspicions proved correct when Krista admitted that it was, in fact, a glorified mud room/laundry room/hallway/closet. Precisely why she was eager to add more functionality and style to this space. Case adorably closed.

See more on Krista's blog The Happy Housie.

 

PS: Congrats to our Folio Creations winner, Megan Harrison!  I will be emailing you ASAP!

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Dipping Down Dressser

Are you a DIY dynamo?  Or more of a take-your-time-a-mo?  Or start-a-project-with-good-intentions-then-get-tired-of-it-quickly-and-pretend-it-doesen't-exist-when-you-see-it-sadly-sitting-there-in-your-garage-a-mo?  I think you can guess what I am.  But there's value in that approach too!

Shannon loved this dresser she found at an auction, but not so much the 'banana pudding' color scheme.  So she gave it a coat of white primer, and got no further than that for nearly a year.  But by then, the white had grown on her. So she finally finished it off with a glossy top-coat and a dipped look by painting the bottom in gold, and I'd say it was definitely worth the wait.  See it on her blog Burlap and Lace.   

And check out her makeover of the wall right here.

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In Zinc

You're all I ever wanted! Zinc furniture, you're all I ever needed, YEAHH.  So tell me what to do now, 'cuz I can't ... afford ... you ...  (That was an N'Sync joke in case you couldn't tell, or are way younger than me).

Yes, zinc furniture is what all the hip kids are into these days.  Check out any Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware catalog, and you're sure to see some hardcore zinc happening.  You are also sure to see price-tags that will make you choke on your own tongue.  But, good news: you can easily recreate that zinc look yourself!

Check out this formerly flat, matte, and unexciting table top that Shelly at Shizzle Design made shine with several paint and wax treatments.  At one point, she had sprayed water on the wet paint, which gave it a really cool aged and spotted look, but then she claims she messed up and added another coat which ruined it. I don't think it looks ruined at all Shelly, still looks great to me!  It added so much more depth and detail.

So, if you like the zinc look, knock it off!  As in, make a knock-off, like Carrie at Painted Furniture Ideas did with her nightstand. Check out her blog for a thorough rundown on how exactly she achieved the zinc-like finish you see here. 

Debbie also hopped on board the zinc-train with this dresser makeover.  The white had to go, as well as the flower decal, which she replaced with a nail-head design to complement the metallic motif.  (Now that I think about it, maybe I should have started off this post with a Metallica joke instead.  I'll save that one for another time).  See it on her blog Painted Therapy

Feeling overwhelmed?  Don't be!  You don't have work with large items of furniture only.  You can zinc-ify anything. See what Kelly did with this little bird statue? So chic!  Plus, she's got even more small items getting zinc-y with it on her blog DTTD: imagine design create.

 

And finally, one last attendee at our zinc round-up.  This table from Aimee at The Vintage Estate was just dying for a zinc-treatment.  C'mon, look at those handles.  They were way ahead of the game. Now they look right at home with the new paint, which you'll notice has more of a white undertone, particularly on top. You could also go with more black to make a deeper look too.  There are so many techniques out there for achieving this look, why not give it a shot!  Then send your pictures to me!

PS: Last chance to enter the Folio Creations giveaway!

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Win a $1000 Shopping Spree from Krrb and Apartment Therapy!  

Details HERE.

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