all tied up: sisal rope vase...

our family room is an ever-evolving space. I have a vision of it as casual, beachy and airy with lots of natural elements mixed with blues and whites. I really wanted to add some rope texture in there somewhere and briefly toyed with the idea of a rope lamp. Then I decided on a sisal vase. I had no luck finding one I liked, so did what any good DIYer would do... I made one!

First, I started with a plain glass vase and some sisal rope. I got both for around $8. With my glue gun, I glued one end of the sisal to the vase, starting at the bottom. Then I started wrapping the vase tight with the rope. Once I reached the top, I used more glue to secure it in place. I made sure the ends of the rope lined up on the same side of the vase so it could be turned to the back so you won't see the ends. 

Now I know some tutorials say to intermittently glue while you're wrapping, but that would have caused too much of a mess. So once I knew both ends were secure, I would push two pieces of rope apart, slide my glue gun underneath and add a dot of glue. Then I'd put the rope strands back into place and hold it for a second until it was secure. I did this in a few places until I felt like the rope would hold.

In the picture above you can see how the ends of the rope are on the same side of the vase. I also added a little glue to the end of the rope so it wouldn't fray. Next, I grabbed some potting mix and a $3 low-light indoor plant from Home Depot and I was good to go! My very own DIY sisal vase. 

Ugh. Excuse the mess of cords. 

It mixes nicely with the tray on our coffee table but I have a feeling it's going to move to the mantel soon because it's starting to block the TV if you're laying on the couch. 

What are your feelings on using rope in home decor? 

favorite Friday find...

hitting up the local garage sales is one of my favorite things to do on a Friday morning. I work out, grab coffee then hit the sales. This morning I scored one of my favorite finds ever....

Two round wooden side tables for a whopping total of $20. No, not each. For. The. Pair. They have glass tops too. Very heavy ones. The glass alone would cost more than $20. 

I am so digging the swirl pattern on them. They are just so different. I don't have a place for them yet. I am debating splitting them up or keeping them as a pair. But they are so visually interesting, I know they'll be amazing wherever they go. 

Have you found any exciting garage sale or flea market finds recently? 

kitchen chair makeover...

one of the first DIY projects I did when I moved into my first solo apartment was to reupholster my grandparents' old kitchen table and chairs. They were covered in a pastel floral pattern that I updated to a modern striped fabric. 

I was so proud of myself. That cute little table enjoyed a long life in that apartment, my first apartment with my husband and even this new house. But the busy pattern didn't really work with our new kitchen finishes and design. Plus the kitchen flows into our family room and I want to transition the space into a more neutral palette.

So it was bye bye stripes...

Hello gray...

See how nicely it works with the couch?

It was a pretty easy change, but I had forgotten how many staples are needed to keep the fabric taut. Oy vey! It took me forever to pop off the old staples and then I got a blister stapling the new fabric. No pain, no gain! 

The fabric used to be the first thing you noticed in the room. Now it blends seamlessly while adding a little bit of warmth to the space.  

It was an easy change that makes a significant impact. 

What project have you done that's made a big difference in your decor?

friday finds: side tables....

it's Friday again and you know what that means – garage sales! it's a gorgeous fall day here, so before I started working I scoped out a few of the nearby sales. We have a serious shortage of places to put lamps and drinks, so I have been looking for side tables for various rooms in our house. And today I hit the jackpot.

I found this beauty at the first sale...

see that sticker? BOOM! $5!

It's a beautiful and heavy brass and marble table. Even though it's gorgeous, it's going to be hidden in our family room between a lounge chair and the wall. But never fear, I have big plans for it when my Hollywood Regency living room comes together. 

A couple of the sales were duds (I mean, I have never seen so many baby clothes/toys in my life!) but at the last one I found this puppy. 

and again $5! 

It will be perfect for the loft area which currently has no lamps, only overhead lighting. There is something extra cozy about soft lamp lighting versus blazing ceiling fan lights. Plus, the middle shelf will be a perfect place to keep magazines, remotes, etc. It's a little more country/traditional than my usual tastes, but again it won't be out in plain sight, and the height and double-shelf action makes it a functional gem. 

Once I get them in place I'll be sure to take pictures to show you how they are working in the space. I was just so excited by my finds, I had to share them with you. 

2 tables + $10 = FABULOUS FRIDAY FINDS!