Garage Games - Final Day

What an awesome past couple weeks it's been receiving your photos and reading such wonderful descriptions and explanations! Sharing ideas with one another has been so much fun and it's made me smile each time I've gotten a message from someone about wanting to try an idea they saw posted on here. That's what the Garage Games have been all about! If you were hoping to send something in and haven't had a chance to, you still have until the end of Sunday to submit. Tomorrow will be the very last Garage Games post, (if I get anything else in today). Tomorrow I'll have Shire girl pull out of a hat 14 names from all the folks who submitted photos. Each of the 14 people pulled will have a chance to pick out a piece of jewelry from this post. I'll contact you in the order that your names are pulled and let you know which items are left.

Winding down our Garage Games are two women who love to decorate with sentiments. It is so warming to walk into someones home and see things that mean something to them. These gals have hit the nail on the head with clever ways to display items that are as close to their hearts as they are lovely.

Our first set of photos comes from my dearest and oldest friend, K. It just so happens that we are related, (cousins), but we have always been friends first. As a newlywed, (going on 2 years - that's still kind of new, right?), a momma-to-be, and a whole country apart from her family, it's very important for her, (and her hubby), to have things around their home that reflect their love and family.

"We just moved to a bigger apartment-like-house this spring. While the extra space is wonderful with the coming expansion of our family, it's also been a little tough to figure out how to 'fill' so much empty space and bare walls. This is our hallway. I had a little table that used to be in our bedroom, but I moved it out here to be a little corner table. It has candles and paper flowers that we got from a wedding we attended. I had kept a bunch of our wedding memorabilia and was in Michael's one day when I got the idea to do a memory box. This holds Kevin's boutonniere, some lace from my dress and a handkerchief a friend made using all of Kevin's mom's sewing materials. I never got to meet my mother-in-law, so it was special to hold this handkerchief made of her materials around my bouquet on my wedding day. Last year, my family came out for Thanksgiving! We saved the wishbone and dried it out-but never used it. I got a cheap frame, hot glued some fabric on the back, took out the glass-and hung this. My husband and I now love this little hallway corner. When we walk down it, it reminds us of family and warm celebrations. It's amazing what a few little things will do to spruce up a bare space!" -KM

This whole display is so clever! Love the wishbone, even though all I can think about is what kind of big wish I'd make on that sucker! :)

Our closer for today is another dear friend...also whom I happen to be related to, (cousin in law). We share a lot of loves, one of which is for interesting looking things. If you like shopping slow, picking things up and inspecting them, she's your girl! Oh, the hours we could kill together! She is a much newer newlywed, (going on 3 months), and has done a superb job nesting in her new home with her hubby and displaying items that have meaning to both of them.

"This photo is of a wood sculpture that Giff and I bought on our honeymoon from a local artist in Oregon. It is made up of 4 types of wood with the main focus being a huge burl which we fell in love with when we saw them in the redwoods. The sculpture is placed on some favorite books of mine in a natural woven basket. One of the books was given to me by a dear friend from my hiking crew, The Glacier Bandits, and is of paintings of the Grand Canyon by a park ranger who lived there for 30 some years. The Grand Canyon was my first major overnight backpacking trip and was a milestone accomplishment in my life. The candle holder is from Crate and Barrel of a perforated metal to let soft light come through when I'm sitting in my favorite chair pictured in the ba"ck of the photo. The chair and ottoman are an original Milo Baughman from the 1960's that I picked up in a snowstorm in Weehawken across the river from NYC. It is rocks and lounges and is my favorite piece in this peaceful reading room completed only with a glass of good red wine!- JB

Everything you can see in this shot has meaning and I love each and every detail!...except the thought of red wine. White Zin or Riesling, please. No, I do not appreciate fine wine. JB does and she's going to try to turn me!! Help!

Amazing photos, my dears, and thank you so much for sending! You still have to the end of the day today, (Sunday), to get yours in and enter the drawing for a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my jewelry box clean out. Chop-chop, as they say in England, (right?) Enjoy the closing ceremonies! Hooray London Olympics 2012!

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Garage Games - Handy Hubs

Happy weekend, all! These last summer weekends start becoming more and more precious at this point, don't they?! Squeezing in a few more bbq's, trips to the pool, chasing after the ice cream truck...good times.:)

I know this will be difficult to hear/read and you will be utterly depressed and question the meaning of life, but we are down to the final 2 days for the Garage Games. Sad, I know. ;) But, we still have today and tomorrow! If you would like to submit a photo, (or more), please don't hesitate; I'm still taking entries until Sunday evening - which means our last blog post about the Garage Games will be on Monday.

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! Please see this post to find out what the heck the Garage Games are so you can participate and enjoy! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies of the Olympics).

Today we get to 'ooh' and 'aaah' over the handiwork of a couple of our boys. I like to celebrate the partnership between couples in putting together a home. Some men have a stronger opinion than others when it comes to home decor and know how to add their own 'flavor' to the home, and others are equipped with the skills needed to carry out their partner's vision. For me personally, many of my favorite aspects of our home were things I envisioned, explained to Matt, and he worked them out beautifully.

Our first submission is of a gorgeous piece that this gal's husband built himself! Being a coffee table, it gets to be a central piece of the room - and what a beautiful piece it is!

"Here's a photo of our new coffee table that Matt recently built from red oak hardwoods and finished with a dark cherry stain." -JC

Wow - what a masterpiece!

Next up is very cool before and after that utilizes a unique piece of space in this couple's home. My brother and sister-in-law's, actually! My brother in law could easily send hundreds of photos of his handiwork, but this particular project has stuck out to me because of how specifically perfect it is for the space! Many of us have an 'odd' spot in our home. A nook or corner that is just...odd. Maybe it's not a 90 degree angle, maybe it's a curved wall, or perhaps it's just an area that seems hard to complete from a decorating standpoint. Even after you try a hundred different things you still feel unsure how to complete it. My brother and sister in law took an interesting little nook in their home and made it into a convenient and lovely little office area!

"In our home there is a small hallway area, and my wife and I decided it would be the perfect place for a built-in.  Before starting our built-in desk project, we had a tall cluttered bookshelf in the space.  After removing the bookshelf, we put up bead board to define the space.  Once the bead board was in, I hung the shelf for the desk and the shelves for inside the cabinet up above, and worked on the doors for it. Next I took the doors down and painted everything with a few coats of white paint before rehanging the cabinet doors.  The knobs I used on the doors, I had saved from my grandfather's china cabinet.  Now we have a space to use the computer that is out of the way, yet in the open."-CU

Before

After

Now Bella can work from home!

A huge thank you to both couples who shared with us today! I love seeing building projects; very inspiring!

Have a fabulous weekend and don't forget to send your photos if you haven't! 1 more day, sniff sniff ;)

Thanks for reading!

~Chelsea





Garage Games - Make it work!

Hi there! Wow, I can't believe we're down to 3 days left of the Olympics! The past (almost) 2 weeks have flown by and it feels like they've just begun. I have so enjoyed our little Garage Games over the past couple weeks and will be sad when it's over! I might have to do this again soon, rather than waiting another 2 years for the next Olympics.:)

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! Please see this post to find out what the heck the Garage Games are so you can participate and enjoy! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies of the Olympics).

The photos I've posted so far for the Garage Games have been just. plain. awesome. Creative, inspiring, unique, sentimental...and today's photos are all of the above!

Our first photo is from a gal who probably could have sent a hundred more.:) She is wildly creative and talented and we both share a love for furniture refinishing.

"This was a dark stained desk and I used Annie Sloan's duck egg paint on it then waxed it with a combination of dark and clear wax.  Love it.  Definitely an upgrade to the Ikea model that was in my office :)" -T

A stunning desk like this would have me wanting to work overtime! Nicely done, T!

Our next photos are from a beautiful girl who's beautiful wedding I had the honor of attending during a historic blizzard a few years ago. While the conditions on their wedding day were not what they were expecting, this wonderful couple, (and their photographer), seized some amazing photo opps! When I saw her Garage Games photos I got so excited! She found a beautiful, out in the open way of displaying some of her favorite wedding and engagement photos!

"These are pictures of our bedroom and our makeshift headboard.  I wanted to actually get a real bed with a headboard and all when we moved into this apartment, but I couldn't find one that I liked AND was in our budget.  So we kept the free metal bed frame from the mattress store and I went to work arranging some of my favorite photos into a "headboard".  I LOVE photos and all of these photos are of our engagement and wedding...so it's something that's no longer just a fill-in but something that I really like!" -CS

Wow. Are you looking at these pictures?! So dreamy....and it would have taken me for.ev.er to get these frames arranged 'just so'. It looks awesome, C!

These photos were so fun! Thank you girls VERY much for taking the time to send them!

Remember, 3 days left to get yours in! Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate and if you read the original post about the Garage Games, you know there are jewelry prizes involved :)

Thank you for popping in!

~Chelsea

Garage Game's - The designer within!

What an awesome weekend we had! Spent lots of time at the pool, played with family, friends and of course, watched the Olympics! The garage was busy, too; Got one custom order finished and photographed on Friday, another dropped off on Saturday, and two more coming in today. I've also got some crazy fun personal projects to work on as we are so close to moving Shire into Mason's bedroom and setting the boys up together in one room. Add to that our front landscaping which we are in the midst of completely redoing, and our kitchen cabinets which I am toeing the line, ready to start painting. This sounds like a lot, but we are pretty good at pacing ourselves. We tend to chip away at things around here rather than hit them headstrong all at once, (for the most part)! I'll be updating the Portfolio Album, (on the left), with photos of recent pieces as they are finished, so be sure to check that out!

We had two submissions for the Garage Games over the weekend from a couple of clever and talented ladies who would probably tell you they are neither clever nor talented, (oh humility can be such a double edge sword!). But, their photos and descriptions beg to differ!

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! Please see this post to find out what the heck the Garage Games are so you can participate and enjoy! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies of the Olympics).

Our first photos today are from one of my all time favorite people; my sister. She is a recent college grad and in that wildly unpopular transitional stage of life as she looks for jobs. She hasn't had the opportunity to decorate a place of her own yet, but wherever she has lived, she's always had a killer bed. Even her dorm bedding was fresh and fun, just like her. Some of my favorite memories are just lying on my sister's bed chatting, laughing, and getting a back rub ;)

"I love my bedspread! I chose it when I was in high school and moving into my older sister's (Chelsea's) bedroom. I was getting really into the color green at the time, because of its subdued and peaceful nature.  I saw this in a magazine and knew it was perfect! I have so many options with it because of the different colors and patterns. My wise Mama paired it with the small green and pink plaid pillows, which I've learned don't MATCH, but GO. I've had it for five years on my bed at home and still love the beautiful designs. I think that as it gets worn and torn after several more years, I'll like it even more!" -C

Just looking at these makes me want to snuggle up for a nap on her bed.:)

Our second guest today is a friend from our life BC - Before Children. That feels like another lifetime ago! I'll tell you what, keeping in touch with friends who knew us before we were parents just warms my heart. People who knew me as me before I became a Mom are so special. This friend, in particular, was an encouragement to me BC, and after. She is dear and I wish we lived closer! Her photos will strike a cord with anyone who has young kiddos, (or maybe a kid-at-heart). :)

"I recovered my kitchen chairs with this awesome fabric. I had a white based covering on before but it quickly got gross.  So, this time I bought some plastic to cover the chairs as well.  So glad I did that! Literally within 48 hours one of the girls spilled.  They thought they were in big trouble! But the plastic did its job and protected the chair.  It is amazing what new fabric and a staple gun can do!" -L

Notes on type of plastic, from L: "I just got the middle weight of plastic tablecloth at the fabric store.  I felt each of the different weights and picked  the one I thought would work and be easy to work with."

Brilliant, L! Now she can have the fresh, colorful and fun fabric that she wants on her chairs, and let her kids be kids. A win-win situation for all parties!

Thank you very much to these amazing women who shared their beautiful, (and handy), work with us today. You guys are awesome!

If you're thinking about what you want to submit, don't wait too long! We've got less than a week to go for Garage Games submissions. I am SO excited to see what is sent in over these last several days!

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea



Garage Game's - Mommas gettin' crafty!

Greatness.

It’s just something we made up.

Somehow we’ve come to believe that greatness is a gift reserved for a chosen few,

for prodigies, for superstars,

and the rest of us can only stand by watching.

You can forget that.

Greatness is not some rare DNA strand, not some precious thing.

Greatness is no more unique to us than breathing.

We’re all capable of it.

All of us.

Best commercial, (it's by Nike), I've seen during the Olympic Games. This message can be applied to anything we decide to do. I thought it fitting to start with today because I have truly been blown away by not just the quantity of participation for my little blog's Garage Games, but the quality as well! In my down time I enjoy flying through decor magazines and books and marking pages with ideas, rooms, and tips that I would like to try. Why am I looking to these professionals for guidance? I haven't received one photo submission from anyone who is a 'professional' in home decor, but each one has been unique, creative and completely inspiring! Creating a home that reflects you is not something that requires an education in home decorating. All the bits and pieces, large and small, that you put together to create a space that is pleasing to you - that is perfection and greatness!

If this is your first time visiting my blog, I am so glad you are here - you're just in time! I'm doing our very own Garage Games right here on the blog over the weeks spanning the Olympics and asking anyone and everyone to email me, (chelseasgarage@gmail.com), at least one photo of a home decor piece/project/craft/room that is reflective of their style and personality, (you are welcome to send in as many photos as you would like). It can be anything you want so long as it represents you. I will post the photos right here on the blog as they come in as a fun way of sharing our creativity and inspiring one another. At the end of the two weeks we will do a random drawing of all the people who submit photos for a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my jewelry box clean-out! I love accessorizing and have 14 fun pieces that have served me well for several years now, but alas, it's time to change things up and pass them on! So, please don't hesitate to submit your photo(s); you never know who you'll inspire and you could get a cool piece of jewelry out of it! See this post if you'd like more details and a peek at the jewelry pieces! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies day for the Olympics).

Today, we've got two young mommas representin' their stuff! One is a momma-to-be, {such sweet days}, and the other with almost 10 precious months of experience under her belt.

Our momma-to-be shares the most pure and genuine inspiration behind her great worthy Living room photo. 

"Our family/living room's focal point is a quilt I made my husband (boy friend at the time).  The quilt is a tribute to lewis and clark with compasses and canoes.  The sofa we saved from my father and I have decorated it with pillows I picked up in France!  When I sit here I think about the adventures my husband and I had in france and the love we share when we started our relationship." -N

This is beautiful, N. Such a great reminder that a personalized space takes on a beauty that cannot be matched.

Our next momma put a finishing touch on her nursery/guest room that is as warm and inviting as her own heart.

"When I was decorating Norah's room, I knew I wanted some color and fabric on the wall. I found some fabric online that I LOVED, so I ordered it not knowing how I would end up using it. I saw a picture in a magazine of some fabric-filled embroidery hoops and decided to give it a try. It's so easy! I just took the hoop apart, closed the fabric inside, and tightened the screw on the hoop to secure it. Then I just pulled the fabric taut so that there were no wrinkles, and cut the excess fabric off, leaving about an inch of extra fabric around the edges. Next, I used a hot glue gun to glue the extra fabric down behind the hoop. Finally, I just hung them on the wall with nails. So simple!" -M

Oops! How'd this get here?! Who doesn't want to see a flippin' adorable baby??? Hi, Norah!

A few thoughts regarding the hoops, (from M):

-Do NOT buy your hoops from the quilting section of a craft store—they are super expensive there. Go instead to the embroidery section, where they should be only $1-4 each. You can also check thrift stores or buy them on eBay for a very inexpensive price. You can paint the hoops or leave them plain. I have even seen some of these hoops hung on the wall in a cluster without any fabric inside—an easy way to fill up a big wall space!

Thank you very much to these busy gals who showed us that great decorating doesn't have to be expensive, time consuming or frustrating. The loveliest decor is that which reflects the heart.

Please send in your photo(s) before the Sunday August 12 deadline! I'm looking forward to seeing what comes in over the second half of our Garage Games!

Thank you, as always, for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Garage Game's Pics - A thrifty find and a homemade office

Hello all! I don't know what I'm enjoying more - watching the Olympic Games, (hello USA Women's Gymnastics!), the tear jerking commercials, or receiving all your amazing home decor photos! I have been blown away by the number of responses by your creative rooms, ideas, tips and tricks.

If this is your first time visiting Chelsea's Garage I am so glad you stopped by! Let me fill you in really quick so you can join and/or enjoy! I am doing our very own Garage Games right here on the blog over the next two weeks spanning the Olympics. I am asking anyone and everyone to email me, (chelseasgarage@gmail.com), at least one photo of a home decor piece/project/craft/room that is reflective of their style and personality. It can be anything you want so long as it represents you. I will post the photos right here on the blog as they come in as a fun way of sharing our creativity and inspiring one another. At the end of the two weeks we will do a random drawing of all the people who submit photos for a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my jewelry box clean-out! I love accessorizing and have 14 fun pieces that have served me well for several years now, but alas, it's time to change things up and pass them on! So, please don't hesitate to submit your photo(s); you never know who you'll inspire and you could get a cool piece of jewelry out of it! See this post if you'd like more details and a peek at the jewelry pieces! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies day for the Olympics).

Today I have two different submissions from two long time friends who don't know they're being featured together, (until now, obviously).:) My earliest memories include these two women; the first is my one and only Mom. The other, a long time family friend who lived down the street from my family in Illinois when I was a wee one.

Let's start with my Mom. I have no design background, never taken a class, but I have 28 years under my belt of watching my Mom transform many a home, (we moved several times), into this soothing yet fun, comfortable yet classy, modern meets antique, peaceful abode. When you walk into my parent's home, you will see my Mom's personality at every corner and 'ahhh, yesss' moment.  I don't know how to describe her home decor style except that she just 'knows'. She's got an eye for things like no one else. She mixes pattern and color like a pro. She knows how to accessorize and where to stop. I've heard guests of hers gush that there is no better feeling than being in her home - it is just that warm and inviting. I've studied and watched her in action. Most of what I do 'right', (and let's be honest, there are hardly any black and white rules when it comes to home decor), is from what I've learned through her.

She submitted a photo of a beautiful piece she found a long time ago. I've never heard it's story, until now.:)

"Twenty years ago we were living in New Hampshire and I was on the hunt for some new sofas. I heard about a huge tent sale at a very upscale place in Massachusetts. I got there early (it was a madhouse!), found my sofas, and as I was leaving I spotted this heavy iron table with no glass top. I don't know why I liked it because it's not my usual style. I thought it would be great 'in the mix' in our family room. I asked my sales lady whom I just bought 2 sofas from, what the price was. She waved her hand and said, "Just take it". So I hurriedly did! Got home, had a glass top cut for it and it has been with me ever since. Goes with everything and nothing....my kind of decorating!" -J

This next submission is an absolute brilliant transformation for an office space. If you work full time away from home, then most of your awake time is probably spent...away from home.

"Wanting my office to be a reflection of the things I love, I grabbed some things from home and this is what I came up with. Like you, I like lighting, and opted for some lamps in my office, to avoid the blaringly bright overhead lights. Combined with the light from my window, it’s just perfect. The picture on the wall is a watercolor my mom did. It’s a scene of the waterwheel on our campus (where I work). She painted it long before I ever started working here, so when I took the job, she gave it to me! The quilt hanging on the wall helps to cut down on the noise, adds visual interest, and I made it (a hobby on hold right now—but just looking at it inspires me to pick it up again). The colors are perfect for the room. People stop to comment on it all the time. I got rid of the metal bookshelf that came with the office, and brought in the antique washstand. My husband and I love looking for old pieces, and this was the perfect size for the space. It’s functional too! Haven’t found the perfect guest chair yet, but the one here does fine (can’t be too comfortable or my visitors will never leave!). Folks often comment how they feel like they are coming into my home, and not my office. It’s comfy, cozy, and makes me smile when I walk in to start my day. I figure if I’m here 40 hours/week, I better love the environment I’m in!! Just these few things have made it perfect for me."-D

Beautiful photos and thank you to the beautiful women who sent them in.

Tomorrow's post will feature a seriously talented mom who submitted some befores and afters which will knock your socks off! Don't wait too long to get your photos in! Deadline is Sunday, August 12.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Fabric tassles - July DIY home accessory

Hello, hello! While I'm not one to ever feel obligated to post on my blog, I also don't like to be silent here in blog land for too long. While there may have been crickets chirping on my blog recently, it's been anything but quiet here at our home base. We had an adventurous 4th of July up in Lititz, PA where some of my husband's family is from. This small town celebrates the 4th like nobodies business, let me tell ya.

{Wooden train at the park = huge hit with my boys. All of them.}

After we were all partied out in Lititz we were off to Somerset, PA for a lovely wedding of my cousin, Laura. We sang, danced, played cards, swam, ate, drank, hiked, golfed (the boys), and had an overall fantastic time together.

{hmm, it appears sticking out your tongue just isn't as adorable when you're over the age of 3...but still fun none the less!}

And finally, after we exhausted ourselves fully, we made our way home. It just so happens that during our trip I broke my foot, (my first broken bone ever)! I have a big clunky boot to wear over the next 6 weeks but have been somewhat cleared to do anything I want that is comfortable for me. I had intended to paint our kitchen cabinets this week, but I am thinking that project may have to wait just a few weeks until my foot is not as tender. I do plan to resume furniture painting as soon as possible as there are some really cool pieces awaiting their own makeover that I cannot wait to show you!

In the mean time, I took the past few days to try a fun home accessory project that I had seen awhile ago on the inspirational blog, In the Fun Lane and wanted to share with you. It's super easy, super cheap, (if not free), and just a fun little touch that you can really add anywhere in your home! May I present....FABRIC TASSELS!

You start with any kind of fabric you want - burlap, lace, linen, cotton, fleece...you name it, it can be made into a tassel. I've used old curtains, pillowcases, sheets, cloth napkins; various fabrics I've had around the house from other projects. Any size, whatsoever. For this demo I used a vintage cloth napkin, (I found this stack of 8 at an antique store for just under $4; all 8 will be turned into little tassels to hang off of Shire's dresser knobs when we move her to her own room - pics will most definitely be posted when it's done!)

{fold fabric in half and cut slits straight up until you're about an inch or so from the fold}

{Open your fabric}

{Roll it up}

{Fold in half and tie with ribbon, twine, yarn, whatever you've got}

{hang in a fun spot to enjoy...over a kitchen chalkboard}

{kitchen cabinets}

{Dresser or TV console}

{Adorn a mirror}

{Adorn a doorknob}

{Jazz up a plain looking plant stand...or give a distraction from the very obviously fake plant ;) }

{Turn a factory made Ikea headboard or foot board into something original}

There are so many ways to use fabric tassels! When it comes to home decorating I don't like things to look or feel over decorated and cluttered with layers and layers of accessories. That being said, I frequently like to change out my accessories. I am constantly replacing things and moving things around in our home. It's exciting to have new ideas for using things or how to decorate the same pieces of furniture I've had for a long time in a way that makes them feel fresh and new again.

Oh yeah, and while I'm on the topic of fresh and new, I decided to do something about our guest quarters that for almost 2 years has been nothing more than a little alcove in our basement. We currently have a futon and the pieces of our kids' future bunk beds all squished into this one small space, (the bunk bed mattresses are in storage, the wood pieces would not fit). Though this set up is temporary until we actually use the bunk beds as....beds....I couldn't wait any longer to set up a space that may actually leave our guests wanting to come back!

{Can you see where the pieces of the wood bunk bed were placed?}

{Bunk bed latter is being used as a 'headboard', 2 of the 3 underside drawers are being used as bedside tables, and 1 drawer is in the right side corner being used as a shelf for a mini library with some of my personal favorite reads, some faux flowers, and a vanilla candle - a favorite scent (simple and yummy)}

{I had these three square frames with fabrics that caught my eye just stapled right on...I hadn't found a way to use them until now! The linens were all mixed and matched from the thrift store - and washed in HOT and double rinsed!}

{Right now I am really loving layering different fabrics. It isn't something I know how or desire to do all throughout my home, but for this small space, I think it really worked. It was fun to put together and, hopefully, is a very warm and inviting space for our dear guests who brave a night, or more, with our crazy clan!}

Thanks for stopping by!

~Chelsea