FALL FUN

We had a great time "Apple Picking", despite this...

Wah-wah-wah.

We did this kind of picking instead...

The orchard made up for the lack of apples though...

corn shelling...

 corn grinding...

tractor riding...

pony riding...

and free tattoos, sunglasses and bubbles...

We also got to pick some pumpkins...

 Overall, a very fun family day!

By the way,  if you missed the images from yesterday's Craigslist Monday post,  check it out here.

Have a great day everyone!

CRAIGSLIST MONDAY: GRACEFULLY SEARCHING *update*

{So sorry the pictures didn't show up earlier, I've updated it now}
{It was weird though,  it showed up on my Mac but not the regular PC}
Happy Monday Everyone!  Today, we have Laura from Gracefully Searching sharing to you her great Craigslist Finds.  

Hi Charmaine, thank you so much for asking me to participate in your Monday Craigslist Finds! I am a CL enthusiast myself so I would love to share with you and your readers some of my favourite finds! 

When faced with the task of furnishing our first place I looked at our initial budget and realized that my taste was a little out of reach. In order to achieve the vibe we were looking for we had to think practically. After talking to several friends about how to furnish a space without going completely broke I was turned to Craigslist, and alas an obsession & treasure trove was resented to me! Since I have started CListing, I have gained some incredible finds, and now I am spreading the word. If you come over and ask me where something is from, more often then not I will reply "Craigslist". I would describe the aesthetic of my home as eclectic neo-traditional, it is a progressive venture so it is always evolving and becoming more of a home, find by find. The amount we have saved has been incredible had we found these pieces retail and the uniqueness and originality is the reward! 

Hope you enjoy! Come visit me at Gracefully Searching for more decor tips!! 

1. After a long search for perfect side tables in our living room I came across 2 glass & brass cube tables. They were $50 for both, the seller was leaving the country and needed to sell fast(always the best deals) I am obsessed with brass & glass so I was over the moon. I would fill our whole house with it if I could but I think I am finished now. 

2. Another great score for $50, often I find sellers are just looking to clear up their space, or pass on a piece someone has given to them. In this case it had been in someones garage(in perfect condition). Out of context it is hard to understand sometimes how you can work a piece into your decor, lucky for me it was just what I was looking for!

3. We actually found our couch online. It was a steal at $500. I never considered purchasing a couch from CL but this was hard to pass up. It was close to brand new(0r so they said) when we bought it, and it fits all of us comfortably on movie nights! It was a larger purchase, but for the size and the quality- a HUGE steal!

4. These chairs I purchased from a fellow blogger in Toronto who knew I was looking for chairs. They are rattan, and have a really lovely shape to them. I still need to recover them, I am thinking black with piping, they were about $50 I think.(That seems to be the magic number)

5. I had been searching for chairs for out dinning room table(also a CL find for $50) for sometime, I had thought about skirted upholstered chairs, the Tobias Ikea chairs, and then I came across these Bertoia chairs. I don't know if they are real(how do I know?? Any idea- would it say somewhere) either way they were $250 for all 6 so we went in for the kill. They all have navy leather seat cushions, that are super comfy, I love these- they were the perfect choice!

6. This console was initially used in our home as an entry console, but we tried it temporarily as a desk, and now it functions as our sideboard. It is an Ikea purchase, bought over CL. We paid $50- they were leaving the country, it was very interesting trying to get this into our small car!! 

7. Our entry table console is one of my favourite purchases. I had been looking for a two tier brass/glass entry table for some time (I was convinced after seeing Caitlin Wilsons) and found this one for $75- also interesting getting this one home…. Lets just say one of the car doors was held closed with rope, and maybe some tape… Yeah!

8. Finally the piece that started the brass and glass craze is this coffee table. Elizabeth Bauer inspired me with her lucite/brass coffee table, I loved it so much I wanted something light/airy similar to hers. We found it to $150, I am sure we could have found it for less but I frantically needed it!! 

If you are looking to rejuvenate your space, need help with some finishing touches pop by my site Lauracollinsdesign.com or email me a lauracollinsdesign@gmail.com.

Have a great day- Thanks again Charmaine!!

Laura xoxo

Laura and I are kindred spirits when it comes to decorating,we have very similar tastes.  
The bamboo chairs remind me of the chippendale chairs in our dining nook and the brass sofa table is very similar to the one we have in our family room!  She also used mid century modern chairs in her dining room!  {Check out my craigslist finds here}
{To spot a real vs fake Bertoia chair, check it out here.}

Thanks again Laura for sharing your finds with us!!!



Do you have any craigslist finds you want to share?  Email me to be featured in the weekly Craigslist Monday series. Here.

TABLE WITH COLORED METAL BASE

When I got my pinechoke lamp from the ReStore,  I saw this table and immediately thought that this would look great painted.  - Lacquered top with painted metal base.

Cases in point...

Jil table collection by Tait

Ally's coffee table from From the Right Bank

Garrison Table

Dare Studio

Wire accent table from Target

Ok, the ReStore one is probably not as modern looking as the rest but do you see the potential?

We plan to go apple and pumpkin picking this weekend.  Hopefully I'll get my fall/ halloween decor out as well.
Have a great weekend everyone!

PAINT A RUG PARTY - THE REVEAL

Here it is!  

Ta-da!

I decided not to add the pink.  It was just too labor intensive that I didn't think it would be worth it.

{Plus I didn't really have the time.  My parents are in town from the Philippines}

If you missed week one and two, click here and here.

I know some of the participants used fabric medium, I didn't.

The latex paint is a tad crunchy but it doesn't really bother me.  The roughness is way, way less than a jute or sisal.  {I guess it also depends on what rug you use.  I think mine is a low loop pile rug}

Here's a peak of the campaign desk and shelves.  I haven't really styled it yet.  I spray painted the back of the shelves gold.

And oh, the Warsa fuchsia linen was delivered yesterday...

{That's my next project - reupholster the bergere chair minus the tufting}

And I'm done painting the island, I just have to add another coat of white paint to the doors and the rest of the cabinets.

{I hate taking pictures in the basement, no natural light to work with!}

Thanks Linda for organizing this Party!  This was fun!!!  I think the next party should be a REAL party with drinks! (Who's in?)

Now, let's see what the other ladies did...

Beth - Chinoiserie Chic

Kerry - Design du Monde

Beth - Design Post

Sam- The Junk House

Elizabeth - Little Black Door

Linda - My Crafty Home Life

Julia - Pawleys Island Posh

Jennifer - The Pink Pagoda

Cathy - Room Rx

Junell - Seekers Bazaar

Pam - Simple Details

Lisa - Trapped In North Jersey

FAVORITE THROW

Do you have a favorite throw?

Mine is Land's End's Dream Chenille Throw.  It is the thickest,  plushest and warmest throw!  The size is pretty generous too.

I got a teal one last year.  

I'm thinking of ordering another one.  

Fandango Pink

Field Khaki

Jalapeno

Navy

Cream

Rich Red

NEW ART?

I got this piece of art from the thrift store.  I love it and it is perfect for my office!

As a bulletin board of course...

{White spray paint, cork sheet from Michael's and glue are all you need!}

My friend Dayka suggested I print out the comments from our Apartment Therapy House Tour and put it in my office for the days when I question myself or if I need a pick-me-up.

I thought it was a great idea so I did...

I still get emotional every time I read your comments!

You guys are the sweetest!

My office is coming along!  I'm done painting the campaign furniture , I have one coat to go for the kitchen cabinets, almost done with the rug,  and I ordered the fabric for the bergere chairs(I bought pink linen instead).

Can't wait to be done so I can start School!

(Yikes!  I haven't read any of my materials yet)

CRAIGSLIST MONDAY: LUCITE

bubble chair
{My kids would love this chair!  I don't know if I have a spot for it though.}

via

easel

House and Home

lucite floor lamp

Gabriel Hendifar via

lucite stool

Happy Monday Everyone!