A Quick and Easy DIY Cork Board

Since I posted about my inspirations for making over my home office space here I've been very motivated and focused to get the process started.  So far I've managed to collect the artwork I plan to hang, and I believe I may have finally found my storage solution (that will be saved for a later post though).  As I have been contemplating the functionality of this space, and planning the wall arrangement for my artwork and photos I realized I could really use a cork board on the wall as well to keep important items in plain sight.  I needed a long and skinny one, however, to hang just above the desk, but below everything else.  I searched around online and could not find anything quite the right shape or size.  

With inspiration from this Pottery Barn organization collection, as well as this Young House Love post in the back of my mind I realized I could easily make exactly what I wanted myself.  

I found the same 4 pack of square cork boards at Target used in the YHL post for about $7.  I also luckily had an old long, skinny, white picture frame hiding in the back of one of my closets, unused for several years.

I removed the mat and the glass from the frame.  Then, using the backing as my template I marked my cork squares to the correct width.

I could not find an exacto knife in my home, so I used regular scissors to cut the cork, which worked just fine.  I would recommend an exacto knife, though, if you have one for a cleaner cut.

I then placed the cork pieces inside the frame, and used the adhesive squares that came with the pack to adhere the frame backing.

And then VOILA!  An attractive, functional, custom cork board is born!

I still need to actually hang it, but you can get some idea of how it will look from this photo (and notice how much less cluttered it is since the photo from this post).  I can't wait to finish this makeover!

Have any of you made a custom cork board before?  What other small DIY projects have you tackled lately?

Wednesday Perk: Living Room Inspiration

Recently one of my friends gave me the best compliment I could ever hope to receive about my little home.  She told me that she loves coming over and hanging out because it just feels so cozy.  This thrilled me because cozy and comfortable is exactly the feeling I've been trying to create.  I love nothing more than a living space that invites people in and whispers in their ear "why don't you just sit for a spell".  While I love that I am apparently moving in the right direction with my living room, I have to admit that I personally feel that it is far from done.  This actually has less to do with it being unfinished and is really more about the fact that, as I look at it, I realize I am tired of the current accessories. 

The couches and chair are staying as is, the coffee table is staying for now although I am currently in year 2 of my hunt for the perfect, affordable replacement.  However, artwork, throw pillows and table accessories are all up for grabs and I simply don't know where I want to end up with them all right now.  So, in hopes of sparking some inspiration for myself here are some knick knacks, as well as some lovely fully decorated rooms to get the 'ole brain working, and hopefully they will help any of you also looking for ways to change things up. 



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 I realize this picture is of a dining area, but the colors are what I am finding some inspiration from.  The green seems to be similar to green of my throw-blanket, which I spent two months crocheting myself so it STAYS, and I love how well the aqua coordinates.  This color combo could really brighten up the dark colors of the couch and chairs.  FYI, the reason we chose such dark furniture colors is that we are realists, we spend most of our time in the living room so the furniture is used constantly, lighter colors would never stand a chance.

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These two living rooms look super cozy and plush to me.  I love all of the throw-pillows and blankets on the couches, they just scream "come lay down".  I also adore the coffee table in the room on the right (why can't I find one like this for under $500?), and the candles add so much ambiance.

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I love so much about this room, the pillows, the colors, the lamps, but what really draws me to this picture is the oversized print over the couch.  I think the photo arrangement I currently have is just too small in scale, I really want to get some oversized prints hanging in that space.  Hopefully some panoramas I took in New Zealand will print out well and fix this issue for me.

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A rug is a great, easy way to instantly pull a room together and up the cozy factor.  I really love both of these.  They don't seem too crazy, but they look like they would add excellent accents to my room.

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I don't know what it is, but I am just crazy about this lamp.  It's just so interesting and could add a touch of whimsy to the room.  If I ever do purchase this I would have to name him, I'm thinking Harvey would work.

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Clearly my top priorities are comfort and coziness, and judging from my inspriation rooms at the top of this post, for me that means lots of pillows and blankets.  I have one nice, comfy throw blanket currently, which I made myself but that took about two months.  Perhaps if I want to grow my throw blanket collection I should just buy one or two, like this West Elm blanket on the left which is only $29. 

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 Throw pillows on the other hand are super easy to whip up with my sewing machine, the hard part is finding the fabric I want.  I really love these coordinated fabrics on the right, which seem to match the color scheme I like, so perhaps I should browse around L&S Fabrics a bit more.

Are any of you feeling the itch to switch up your living room decor?  Oh and I promise the home office makeover is coming along, in fact tomorrow will have a quick update featuring a DIY tutorial for a custom cork board, so be sure to check it out!

Wednesday Perk: Home Office Inspiration

While I am in full holiday mode right now, I also can't help but start to focus on the plans I have for the new year.  We'll have a post dedicated to new year goals later this month, but I just can't wait to share some inspiration for the first big home project I have planned for 2013.  My husband and I share our second bedroom as office space, we have both of our desks in there and it works perfect that we both have our own little areas.  My husband has his area set up to his liking and regularly uses his space.  I on the other hand have failed to actually maximize and utilize my area.  Instead I have unintentionally turned it into hodgepodge storage.

Yeah, this is out of control.

However, with some personal plans I have for 2013 I really need to wrangle this space and make it both inspirational and functional.  So with that said here are some of the things I have found around the web to inspire this little home office makeover.  I also promise to share all of the before and after pictures, and tutorials on how various pieces of the project are accomplished.

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Here's a lovely, functional mail organizer from Less is More on Etsy that has me drooling.  While it's a bit pricey, it is definitely sparking ideas.

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The color, not necessarily the vases, is what I'm focused on here.  With a white desk, I think some aqua accents would be lovely and just the right pop of color to cheer me up.  There are some current organizational pieces in use that, while super functional, are simply hideous in their current state.  A quick coat of pretty paint should do the trick, however, I'll probably tone down the color just a little bit. 

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Perhaps the biggest part of this coming makeover is the plan to upholster a chair.  Currently in use is an old Ikea dining chair, which has no upholstery.  The plan is to add at the minimum an upholstered seat, however I could go crazy and turn it into something like the picture above.  While this chair is done with lovely yellow and two contrasting prints, my plan is to use the same gray and white fabric on this chair below (M actually gave me this fabric months ago, so color me shocked and excited when I saw it on this chair on YHL).

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Currently the wall above my desk is completely bare, so some sort of artwork is necessary to complete the look.  I love this print by Hoot Design Co. representing my hometown, combined with some personal photos I think this would help inspire me on those days when creativity feels blocked.

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What desktop would be complete without a few whimsical items?  At least this adorable ceramic fox also functions as a speaker, but I think I would definitely have to add a colorful owl or two to the mix as well.

         West Elm Ceramic Fox Speaker                                        West Elm St. Jude Ceramic Owls

Lastly, this little home office space must be multi-functional.  For me, this means that I need space to work when necessary, as well as the ability to serve as storage and organization for many many different things.

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   Anything from craft supplies, photography equipment, important personal documents, and of course actual work, needs to have a place to be stashed away here.  I'm still brainstorming what the perfect storage solution will be, something that won't break the bank is a must.  Perhaps a simple filing cabinet makeover like this one my friend Becca over at Gypsy Soul did will do the trick.

Do you have any decorating makeover plans to start the new year off right?