The Plug Trick (& sneak peek @ the couch!)

Quick Post...

So, you're getting two in one today.  You get a sneak peek of the completed couch redesign & a fun, easy trick to plug your computer into your coffee table!  

 I will post about the couch later, but wanted to show you a sneaky peek at it because we are so excited it's FINALLY done!  So, here's the table.  It's finished & we've added baskets for storage.  I don't know about you, but we do all of our computer work while sitting on the couch.  Before we redesigned the living room, our couch was against a wall & we had no problems plugging in.  However, when we moved the couch off of the wall we encountered the "floating cord" problem.  So, here's our solution...

We ran an extension cord from the wall, under the red rug & under the coffee table. 

 

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Then, we plugged the computer plug into the extension cord & hid the cord inside the grey basket.  

 

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We thought about cutting a hole in bottom of the felt basket & running the cord through to make the cord invisible, but since we move the coffee table around so much, we figured it would take away the mobility.  We don't mind seeing the little white computer cord.  Also, we keep the computers in this basket so they aren't dropped off the coffee table by some little fingers.  So, far so good!

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 I know this isn't rocket science, but I thought it was a really great solution to our problem.   Just wanted to share in case anyone else needed the tip!  It's the little things...

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{S}

Bedroom ReDesign

Trading Handsome for Pretty

We have lived in our home now for 6.5 years & this is NOT our first redesign.  However, it is by FAR our favorite.  Even though we really liked our bedroom, we needed an update.  
We originally were inspired for our old room by a picture I found in a "Domino" magazine {it's a SHAME they stopped making that mag, it was my FAVE!}.  We liked it because it felt masculine, handsome, & cozy.  Chris thought it was the kind of room you should smoke cigars in {of course that never happened}.  I kind of felt like it was something my husband needed after living in a house with 4 ladies!  
However, it's been green for 4 years now.  When I mentioned redesigning our bedroom he was all in {what a guy}!  I warned him that I was thinking "light & airy & pretty" & he said, "Sounds good!".  The man is not hard to please.  Here is our old bedroom... the BEFORE!

 

........  Before ........

 We removed the bed frame & used pictures as a "headboard".  We chose pictures from our post-college trip to Europe.  It's a time in our lives that always reminds us of a time {long ago} when it was just the two of us.  Ahh, to be young again. ;)  To save space in our small bedroom we used wall mounted shelving units as bedside tables.  We hid box-spring by covering it with fabric.

My favorite part of the original "inspiration pic" was an olive-colored blanket.  I loved it so much we decided to use it as the wall color.  I'm going to look through my back-issues of "Domino" for the picture so you can see what I inspired this room.

This is one of my favorite pieces of furniture in the house.  We found this dresser at Goodwill 4 years ago.  It was part of a children's set of dressers & the drawer fronts were a bright blue.  We decided that "crayon blue" wasn't part of our design so we covered the drawers with fabric (I'll be adding a tutorial for that soon).  The mirror was found at Good Finds & we painted the frame black.

 This is not a great picture of the Lucite handles on this dresser.  There will be a better pic later in the "after" photos.  The clear Lucite handles were the deciding factor in purchasing this dresser.  SO cute.

 

.......... After .........

Wow. I have to say, this is not only a big transformation, it's kind-of my dream bedroom.   The wall color was the biggest job, but I'm telling you, the best invention for DIYer's since the staple gun is the paint+primer.  It's more expensive, but we were able to cover the dark olive green with this white/grey in TWO coats with NO primer!  WHAT?!  The color is "Reflecting Pool" from Behr @ HomeDepot.  It was an easy choice as we (I) love all things grey & it will never have to be changed again (my promise to Chris as this is our 3rd color change in 6 years).  It's hard to see the paint color in these pics, but it's a VERY light grey.  It's almost white.  Just grey enough, though, that you can tell the difference between the walls & crown molding.  Plus, here's a tip straight from Mr. Mojock... buy the first gallon as paint+primer, but the second gallon can just be regular paint.  It'll save you a good $10.  Smart man!

So, here are the deets - 

Paint :: HomeDepot :: $50

Headboard :: RePurposed French Door :: FREE

Bedding Set :: HomeGoods :: $50

Side Tables :: TomatoLand Produce :: FREE 

Lamps :: Target :: On Clearance for $10 each

Curtain Rods :: Target :: $17

Curtain Fabric :: JoAnns :: $35

Picture Frames :: RePurposed :: spray paint :: $3

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Here is the finished headboard.  We are THRILLED with it!  We were looking for a headboard that would let light in since we were putting the bed in front of the window {ex. light & airy}.  We went to HomeDepot & decided on a picket fence piece.  We bought it & got in the car. Then, I remembered an idea I had a while ago about using an old French door we removed from the entrance to our Florida Room.  We immediately returned the fencing & saved ourselves $45!  We had all the materials for the headboard construction so it was totally FREE!   I'll have a tutorial for the headboard soon!

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Closeup of the headboard.  Look at all that beautiful diffused light!

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My freebie tip for this project...  Your local produce stand will GIVE you produce/orange crates!  You could spend up to $45 for one of these puppies at home stores.  These are the perfect size for our room.  It doesn't take up much of a footprint & adds so much texture & visual interest! Plus, it quadrupled the night stand storage in our room.

 

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Everything on this wall {except the curtains & rod} were already in the room.  We painted the picture frames a pea green color {Eden - Rustoleum, HomeDepot} to match a color in the bedspread.  We also changed the color of the floor lamp from black to white.  Spray paint is a beautiful thing!  I do want to find a new shade for the floor lamp, but was willing to wait 'til I found something I loved.  We love the look of a "gallery wall" & I especially love that you don't have to line everything up perfectly! 

 

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Here is our "sitting area".  I've always wanted one.  The little monkey is the base for a glass top table that Chris has had since college.  I think someone gave it to him as a joke, but he's always kept it.  His ONLY request when redesigning this room was not to paint the monkey.  I really wanted to paint it all white, but his strong opinion was "I'd rather not".  Yes, that's a strong opinion for Chris!  Anyway, this area makes me want to sit & read.  And I don't even LIKE to read! ;)

  

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Tony loves this room too.  He loves to sleep on the pillows in the warm sun.  His only complaint is that the bed is now 6" higher & it's getting harder for this old man to jump that high!  We're contemplating stairs of some kind, but for now he seems happy getting the exercise & showing-off  how high white dogs can jump.

  

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Ok.  This makes my stomach flip for joy.  I have a new obsession with burlap so it was an easy choice for recovering the dresser drawers.   The Lucite handles are more visible in this design so we love it even more.  We repainted the mirror white {from black} & repainted the lamp the same pea green as the picture frames {in the previous pic}.

  

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 Are these Lucite handles the best or what?!  Stay tuned for the "how to" on the dresser drawers.  It's not hard.  You basically just wrap them like a present, glue, & staple.  Words cannot express my love for this piece.

  

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It's funny.  I can't make up my mind about which part of this room I love the most!  Each time I see something I say, "Oh, that's my favorite part", but then I turn & see something else.  

These shelving units were our old side tables.  We painted them white & turned them sideways to make a space for us to display our favorite things.  Before, we had things on the dresser & side tables, but little fingers would always pick them up & move/break them.  It's nice to know that these will stay put!  We even have room to add new pieces!  

We found the bench at Good Finds for $20.  I originally thought we'd put it at the end of the bed, but this was the better fit.  We are going to add hooks under the shelving to hang things that end up on the floor like pajamas & such.

  

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 Chris & I are super proud of this room & especially  proud of the fact that we started & finished it in TWO days.  We weren't messin' around.  We had all the pieces {well, most of them} we just had to put in the work & it was TOTALLY worth it!  

Now, time for a nap...yeah, right.

{S}

Have a question or comment?  Please comment below!

See something you love?  Pin it!

 

The Mobile Coffee Table

It's coffee table time!   As I've said before, we've been looking for the right coffee table for a while now.  We needed it to be narrow & long, but not too long.  We wanted it to be a natural wood of some kind because the wood texture will balance out the more modern pieces we have.  Also, I wanted it to be easy to move {the "table" we had before was really a trunk with furniture sliders to keep from scratching the floor}. 

Lucky for us, on our shopping trip to "Good Finds" we found THE BEST find!  We saw potential in this little puppy as soon as we laid eyes on it, but it needed a little redesign.  It's good, but it wasn't PERFECT.  However, with a little imagination it wouldn't take much to make it just what we wanted.  Plus, at $20 how could we say no?!

 

I'm love with the latest trend of tables designed with casters instead of feet.  I love the look {industrial}.  I love the mobility {necessary in our house as the coffee table needs to move for dance parties & not scratch the wood floors}.  I love the different use of materials {usually casters are paired with wooden tables}.  So, it was a no brainer to add some casters to this bad boy.  

Then, we got to thinking that we'd love to have some storage under the table.  The only problem was, with the casters how would we store the baskets underneath?  The table would move, but the baskets would stay stationary.  The solution: add a bottom shelf to the table!  Ah Ha!  Super easy.  Here's how we did it {in 25 minutes!}...

............................................................................... 

Step 1 - Find the right table

This is the table as we purchased it.  Super cute.  Just the right size.  Made of light wood {I'm guessing oak} with two cut outs on top layered with woven wicker.  On the ends of the table are pieces of honey-colored leather stretched across the legs & held in place by a metal tack {*added bonus* - the leather covered the sharp corner of the table so there's one less place to lose a tooth!}.  I loved this feature & it's what made this a definite "must have".  

I love honey-brown leather.  It reminds me of my old softball glove...

 

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Step 2 - The tools

Here's what we needed...

1. Drill {had it}

2. Drill bits {had them}

3. Screws {had them}

4. Casters {$14.36} 

5. Wood for shelf {used MDF - 4.80} 

6. Fabric to cover shelf {$6.00}

7. Fabric Glue {had it} 

8. Staple gun & Staples, not pictured {had them} 

9. The table {$20}

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Grand Total - $45.16

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Step 3 - Prep it!

First thing you should ALWAYS do when finding a vintage/older piece of furniture is check it out & make sure there isn't any damage.  Do this BEFORE you buy the piece, of course.  When you get it home tighten the screws & add a little wood glue to any parts that are loose.  If necessary, add a few extra screws to the parts that are super wobbly.

 

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Step 4 - The shelf

One of the best tips I could ever give you is to have your wood precut at the store!  If you are using wood you already had, then it's not an option, but if you need to buy new materials always pre-measure & have the dudes at Home Depot cut it for you! 

Once the wood was the right size we wrapped it in burlap.  I chose this fabric because I wanted something that would compliment the natural top to the table.  I thought about painting it, but I knew that it would look mismatched.  Instead, choosing another natural fabric made it all feel like it's part of the same design.  

The first thing we did was spray the wood with fabric glue, then wrapped it like a present.

 ...............................................

Step 5 - The Staple Gun

I have to admit.  The staple gun is by far my most used tool.  In a perfect world, I would buy an air compressor/gun.  But, to be honest the hand-propelled staple gun is way more portable & it helps to define my Popeye-sized forearms.  Plus, it's way quieter & c'mon... you know these projects usually happen when the kids are in bed.  

So, after wrapping & smoothing the fabric we flipped it over & stapled the seams.  The trick to covering with fabric is to start at the middle of the side you're working on, add a staple, then move to the corners, then between the middle & the corners, & so on.  This helps to keep everything even & tight.  At the corners you need to fold over & staple right next to the edge.  Remember to pull tight, but not too tight because it will make the fabric stretch & look uneven.

 

 

  
The final product.  This was the underside, obviously...

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Step 6 - Positioning, Pre-Drilling, Screwing

With three small, insane people running around we have to make everything very sturdy!  So, this was probably the most important step. 

First, we flipped the table over & aligned the shelf where it should be on the legs.  

Then, we pre-drilled holes through both the MDF shelf & the wooden leg.  Pre-drilling is important for a few reasons. One - MDF is hard to screw into, two - it insures alignment for the screws, & three Chris insists on pre-drilling everything ;).  Next, we screwed a 1.5" screw through both the shelf & the leg to lock it in place.  

After the shelf was secure to the legs it was time for the casters.  This was as easy as placing it, pre-drilling, & screwing.  We decided to screw the casters into the legs as well as the shelf.  However, the caster base was wider than the leg of the table.  So, we screwed two of the four screws in the shelf/leg with 1.5" screws & we used 1/2" screws to secure the other side of the caster to only the MDF shelf.  It was plenty sturdy.  Nothing's going to break this thing.  Not even Cameron's head!

 

 

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The Final Product

Here it is!  I really love this table & how easy it was to redesign. We made it exactly what we want & need which is design rule #1 for me.  Now, we just add a few baskets {you're gonna LOVE what we put in one of them in a later post}...

And Voila.  The perfect, portable coffee table.

 

 {Closeup of the leg, shelf, & caster.}

 

....................................{S}...................................

Women be shoppin!

OK. I know I said on Facebook that I'd have the "before & after" living room pictures up, but I decided to wait for the "after" pics until the couch cushions are recovered.  That should be done next week.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you some pieces we picked up to finish off the redesigned living room!  Most of them are for organizing, which we made a LOT more space for & the best piece we found was a new coffee table!  We also redesigned that to custom fit our needs & I'll share that whole process in the next post!

Here are our new treasures!

$5 - Grey Iron Griddle (Good Finds)

= Table Top Tray

I have a side table that has a wicker top.  The problem when setting a drink on the table is - it wobbles & ultimately spills (as everything in our house does).  The solution - table top tray!  I was looking for a metal one & I'm a sucker for anything grey and utilitarian so this small, sturdy griddle has been reinvented as a table top serving tray.

`

$3 - Metal Soap Dish (Marshalls)

= Extra Key Holder

This 5" metal soap dish caught my eye because of the red lettering.  I'm trying to stay within my color scheme so it fit perfectly.  I needed something that closed & was kind of tricky to open so the little fingers around here couldn't get into it.  We're going to use it for all the "extra" keys we have to random locked things.  

$7.50 - Letter Organizer (Marshalls)

= Letter & Sunglass Organizer

Again, I love anything grey & I love leather, so this was a must have.  It's made to be a letter organizer, so I didn't really have to reinvent it!  Sometimes you have to save your imagination for other, more important projects.

$8 - Metal Goblet (Good Finds)

=  Stuff Catcher 

You've seen two items from "Good Finds".  It's my favorite home store in Tally.  It's a one-stop shop.  Perfect for us with our car of insanity. 
This is not just a goblet. This is something fit for the King of the house to place his most beloved treasures.  Translation - a place for Chris to put his crap.  We're both pretty good about hanging the keys when we get in the house, but it's way more fun to toss them in the bowl.  (Not in a 70's swinger kind of way).  I loved the metal & etching.  I didn't love the gold tone of it, but I'll be changing that... sounds like another post!

 $8 - Orange Mini-Case (Good Finds)

= Holder of Random Electronics

Ok, this was a SUPER find!  $8?  REALLY?  So, we see these older suitcases all over the place & they're always way overpriced.  This one is actually a mini-case (about 11" across), but it's perfect for what I need.  It's perfectly aged and I love the bring orange color (it's hard to see it in this picture).  It also closes and isn't super easy to open (again good for the little, sneaky fingers), so it's perfect for storing our extra cords, ipods, earphones, etc.  SCORE!

$10 - Grey Felt Basket (Marshalls) 

= Under Coffee Table Storage

Again, grey.  So, I used to think that always getting the same color of things would make a room boring.  I now understand that getting the same color, or different shades of the same color, for rooms is a GREAT thing.  It ties in all of your pieces & makes it look like you did it on PURPOSE.  Ah Ha!  A designed home?  Who knew?!
This basket is going under the new coffee table.  You are going to LOVE the new table & this basket has a super special job... just you wait!

$15 - Woven Wicker Runner (Marshalls)

= Space Definer & Dirt Collection 

This is a horrible picture of the new runner, sorry.  When I post about "after" shots I'll take better pictures.  This rug is actually really amazing.  It's woven & ties in perfectly with the new coffee table.  "The rug really tied the room together, man!" (Big Lebowski). And for $15?   Yes, please!

$16 - Glass Milk Holder (Good Finds)

= Holds the "Extra" Stuff  

OK, I've been secretly wanting one of these for YEARS, but never knew what to do with it.  I figured out what to do with it & when I put together the "After" post of the living room, you'll love it, too!  Of all of our purchases this was the splurge.  I realize it was only $16, but these old milk carriers are usually pricey (this one was originally $42), but was marked down to $18.  I was feeling guilty about spending $18 on an "old, metal rack" (as I was sure Chris would say) so, I asked the sales woman if there was a discount & she said "Sure!  How does 15% sound?".  Uhh, sounds good to me!  So, lesson re-learned...  Always ask for a discount! 

 $25 - White Mirror (Hobby Lobby)

= To See Oneself 

After a long day of shopping I had one more stop to make, JoAnns.  This was for fabric for the new coffee table, but apparently my luck for the day had run out.  So, I decided that since I had just dropped Chris & the kids off at home, and I was already in the car, that I'd run up to Hobby Lobby and see if the fabric I needed was there.  It wasn't, but this super cute mirror was.  It was the right size and it was 50% off.  I flinched a little at $25 still, but I was tired and I liked the mirror, so you can guess what I did...

$20 - Coffee Table (Good Finds)

= Uhh, Coffee Table

Then there was the coffee table.  We've been looking for the right coffee table for YEARS now & I'm so happy about this one that I can't even stand it.  Most of all I love the price.  I mean, $20?  I'm not going to go into details yet, but we planned on doing some work to the table & you'll see all about that in a future post.  In the end, the table cost us a mere $35.39.  Not too shabby.




Needless to say, we had a very successful shopping day.  When the couch is finished I'll post about it.  In the meantime, stay tuned for the re-design of the coffee table...

I'm baaaaaaaaaack!

Hey!

Soooo, what do you think?   I've been at it for a little bit now & I've come up with a new look for the website.  Well, I guess now it's a blog site.  I'm still tweaking it, but I couldn't wait to share it with you because I'm super-excited about having a new outlet for creativity!  I'm hoping that this space is somewhere you can come to be inspired as well as leave YOUR inspiration for others!  My stomach has been flipping since I decided to do this {with your encouragement}!  So, thanks.  Here we go...

Many of you know me from Rinse & Repeat Kids' Salon &/or The Green Peridot Salon in Tallahassee & while I really, really love hair I also have other interests {imagine that!}.  Many of you may NOT know that my secret {or maybe not so secret} passion is creating, uh, ANYTHING!  My focus is usually in the home.  I love reupholstering furniture {the couch is almost done...}.  

***{Before we go any further there's something you need to know.  My Mom is a high school English teacher {the best ever} & to her chagrin I'm not the best writer in the world.  I use too many commas, I rely on spell check WAY too much, I completely overuse the ellipsis, the "&", emoticon's {usually the winking eye ;)}, parenthesis, and I start sentences with "So," way too often.  ;)  There's something else you need to know.  I DON'T CARE!  This blog was not created so I could win the next Pulitzer Prize.  I may even blog after a few glasses of wine {don't judge me}.  Just, bear with me.  I'm sure that between all the grammatical errors we'll still be on the same page... mine will just be messier.} 

So,  here's the plan.

Chris (the Mr.) & I have completed numerous projects around the Mojock House & I've taken a few pictures of them.  I'll share them with you, you look at them, you tell me what you like/don't like, you ask questions, I'll ask questions... you know how this works. 

Also, I would LOVE to share your projects here as well!  So, if there's something you're proud of that you finished between the zillions of other things we do each day, send it over!  I'll give you a big pat on the back because we all deserve it!

So, {see!} you'll have to sit tight 'til I get back to Tally {we're still on vacation, hence the time for inspiration.  I mean, you read ONE "Home & Garden" magazine...} and I'll dig up some pictures of the projects we've completed in the last few months.  Then, we'll get started on the new ones! 

Here's to a new year & some new inspiration.  Thanks for joining me!  

...Ready, set, GO...   

{S}

Since you've been gone...

So, here's where we've been...

 








Well, part of the reason.
 

Here is the other reason...

 

Her name is Evan Suzanne.
She's almost three months old now!
Soooooo, we have a new business in Tallahassee. We have a new baby in Tallahassee. We are making furniture for our business and our baby is doing her business on our furniture. HA!

We are planning to open our new kids-only hair salon early in October 2010. In the meantime, we are working our fingers to the bone transforming the little 750 sqft space into a space that will encourage relaxation for parents and fun for kids.
  

We will have pictures of the before and afters and can't wait to share them with you! Stay tuned...