{ heart knob }

I came across this idea a while back in Sommerset's Home magazine and loved it - I thought it would be perfect for Valentine's Day.  I found an old door knob with a fairly flat surface for the holder and then used some old thick wire for the heart shape.  I was able to bend the wire with my hands but a small pair of pliers would also work well.

I think this would make a great place card holder for a head table or even a special dinner party. 

I was thinking this would also make a cute gift that can be used to hold snapshot photos.

{ burlap covers for lamps }

Good Monday morning.  We had a wonderful trip this past weekend to the coast with our kids - the only way we relax is when we are out of town and away from our phones - I'm sure many of you can relate. 

Right before we left I made these cool burlap covers for my bedroom lamps and one for our living room lamp.  I had seen this idea in a magazine and really liked it.  I wanted to share it with you because it was easy and inexpensive and I thought someone might like to try it.  Here is a picture of my lamp with its original shade.

Here is the finished lamp with the burlap cover - I think linen would work great too.  I used bias tape in neutral colors and sewed it to the burlap to make a loose tie.  Along the top and bottom edges I just turned the burlap under and sewed it.

This is a small IKEA lamp that I picked up with a very plain and bright white shade - now it is toned down and seems warmer.  We put this small lamp on our fireplace mantel.

{lamp face lift}

My kids and I had a great day yesterday just being home getting "stuff" done.  One of the many decorating projects that I worked on was updating this fun lamp.  I had found this really cool carved lamp last week at Urban Salvage - the owner said she hated it and gave it to me for free!  I told her she just made a customer for life out of me!

My encouragement for you today is to look past bad paint jobs, dirt and grime and look for pieces that are built well and have interesting features.  This lamp happens to be huge, heavy and has some serious charm.  The carving is very unique and goes well with my style.

To update it I gave it several coats of cream spray paint.  Then as luck would have it when I went back to US later that week and found the perfect burlap-ish shade for it - that only set me back 3 bucks -- as you can imagine I am thrilled with my new desk lamp.  And my husband is thrilled it isn't in our living room! 

{reclaim, recover, redeem...reuse}

I am very excited to talk about a downtown Fresno store that I have been visiting lately.  If you know me, you know that I love salvaged building materials to use in our home and garden.

{Urban Salvage}specializes in vintage building materials but also stocks lots of fun antiques and collectibles.  They are open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  My good friend Kiley and I were finally able to get our schedules together and made a "big" trip downtown with our kids to check out thrift stores and Urban Salvage.  We had a blast!

We found these cool suitcases...

I picked this one mainly due to the initials...M.E.C. rest assured that I will cherish and love your suitcase!

I love my friend Kiley - and I love her home - it is warm, inviting and stylish - even with 3 small kids and Farmer Dan!  Not be deterred by a parking ticket and dog poo on her daughters shoe - Kiley went back the next day to US and snagged these two awesome suitcases for her family room.  I love it when one small purchase wakes you up early in the morning and spurs you to move all your furniture and rearrange your "stuff".  You go girl!

{Urban Salvage ph. 559.439.3176 at 1515 N. Broadway Fresno Ca 93721}