Guest Blogger | Laundry Room Re-Do

I can't pass a Garage Sale or Antique Store without thinking of my mother. For as long as I can remember, she's been collecting, buying and re-selling, or restoring vintage treasures. We share a joy of creating fun and bring spaces, and an eye for retro or nostalgic pieces. Here's her latest project in my childhood home.

--
BEFORE (yikes!)

 AFTER (yay!)

This laundry room re-do is awash in bright colors and vintage containers. The colors were inspired by Hudson Bay blankets and old camp chairs. A camp/cottage theme is evident throughout.

Picnic baskets make for excellent storage, tucking away a myriad items from tools to cleaning supplies, extension cords to old sheets. Baskets can be transformed by painting them any shade you desire. The examples here were picked up at garage sales and flea markets ($5-$15).

Coffee cans are a real eye-opener lending a jolt of color and are great for storing smaller items like cleaning brushes, stray buttons, safety pins, or loose change that ends up in the laundry. These cans turn up regularly at estate sales, usually in the garage (nominally priced).

My husband has a colleciton of vintage advertising yardsticks which we used as shelf edging. My favorite is for a rendering company -- "Highest Cash Prices - Dead Horses - Cattle." You don't see that every day! The yardsticks were purchased at antique malls and feal markets ($1-$3).

The letters, door hardware, and metal shelf brackets all came from Hobby Lobby.

This room will help to wash away my laundry day blues!

- MJE

More posts from my mom:

If I Ran the Zoo...Or the Container Store

Baubles Bangles and Beads

Nifty Gifty Under $50

Yesterday I ventured over to Seattle's annual Urban Craft Uprising winter show, taking in the many delightful handmade goods. Knitwear, sweet treats, unique jewelry, ceramics, paper goods - they've got it all! I didn't have my wallet on me which freed me up to simply admire the colors, creativity, chomps, and cheer of the event. Here's the unique brands that make up my holiday gift guide this year.

SAKUtea | wellness latte blends
Organic, vegan, and gluten-free, these powders are delicious. We already own a milk frother, so these flavorful lattes would be easy to make.

p.o.p. candy co | fresh butter crunch
This stuff is absolutely no-doubt-about-it addictive. Rum y vanilla is where it's at.

Bow Hill Blueberries | organic heirloom blueberry juice
Blueberries aren't even my go-to fruit, but I really liked this juice. Perfect as a shot, in a smoothie, or acai bowl.

Persist | card game

This feminist-inspired, unique, relevant, and interactive game would make the next evening with friends more interesting!

Here are my honorable mentions in four different categories:

Cactus Club | paper goods
I'm a sucker for stationary, art prints, greeting cards, and funky whimsical designs. This was my favorite vendor in the paper goods category!

Going Stag | woodwork

This artwork is eye-catching, happy, and gives off strong PNW vibes! The ornaments are so cute :) 

M Creative J | hand embroidery

Embroidery kits and wall hangings are really in right now. This artist had my favorite styles and even some DIY kits. 

Steady Ceramics | ceramics 

A nice blend of design options - from colorful to black & white and intricate to simple, I like them all. 

Supporting small businesses,  

-SJW

DIY | Card-Making

Last week I met up with some gals & embarked on an afternoon of card-making. I forgot how delightful it is to sit down, play with paper & glue, & create something simple & new. I'm hoping to establish a rhythm of writing/sending one card to a friend every week. I'm a sucker for snail mail & think it's such a special way to encourage, celebrate, & grow in becoming others-focused.
Plus, they're so darn cute!

An old-fashioned girl at heart,

SJW

DIY | Tomato Cage Christmas Tree

Since our tomato plants are hibernating (i.e. dead), I thought I'd re-purpose their cages into something festive during the off season.

Instructions:

1. Purchase two tomato cages (~$5.00 at Home Depot)

2. Stack cages & turn them upside down

3. Add ornaments - either with hooks or put ones with stings over each "leg"

4. Tie the top together with a rubber band or string

5. Add a topper! 

My mom has one too -

Very sustainable ; )

-SJW

So whoop-de-do & hickory dock

It's the holiday season

& our little duplex is decked out in full Christmas attire.

DIY Christmas tree made out of fabric & buttons

$1.00 garage sale reindeer

Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

Little nutcracker : )

Prints my mother-in-law drew in art school

Chess Advent calendar!

DIY "HO HO HO" window using paper bags & chalk

Mistletoe & Christmas cards

Christmas tree from Chubby & Tubby's

Looking forward to the following traditions:

-Christmas Eve service & looking at Christmas lights

- Reading Christmas stories

- Baking cookies & making puppy chow

Singing Christmas songs,

-SJW

DIY: Super Easy Centerpiece

Christmas is over, but winter has just begun! Here's a quick and easy idea for a centerpiece to get you through the winter months. It's naturalistic, minimalistic, & artistic!

Step 1: Collect pine cones.

Step 2: Spray paint them white.

Step 3: Place the pinecones in a large vase.
Step 4: Tie a ribbon around the vase.

(Step 5: Make dinner & enjoy your centerpiece)

 

-SJW