{photo via The Newlywed Diaries}
Yesterday on The Bright Side Project we featured Janice Rusnak of Papier Valise.� For those of you who are crafty, she needs no introduction.� She is the go-to shop for the little bips and bobs you need to complete your latest artistic endeavor.� She’s the craftista’s dealer, if you will.
I used to be crafty.� Creative, even.� In fact, in school there were two subjects at which I excelled–reading/writing and art.� Writing the Papier Valise feature reminded me of that, and how little crafting I do these days.� I’ve kind of become a one trick pony–if you consider staying up until 1am reading a trick a pony would do.
I’ve made up my mind to change all that.� Less reading, more action.� To that end, I’m going to start working on projects around the house a bit more.� I’ve already tackled one project, my kitchen back splash, which resulted in THE RED SHARPIE OF DEATH.� At first I hated it because every time I walked into the kitchen I thought SHARPIE!!� But since I was able to clean the furniture, I’m backing to thinking it looks pretty good.� I mean, Design*Sponge isn’t blowing up my inbox, but it doesn’t look like a bachelor pad, either.
This is where you come in.� Who are you reading now for design tips?� I have all the major players in my reader, and now I want some of the new kids on the block I may have missed during the decorating hiatus I took this last year.� Things I like: before and afters, real homes, reasonable budgets, and a healthy mix of modern and traditional.� Every other week I like a different style (no surprise that I am all over the map) but I consistently enjoy Jennifer and Wes at The Newlywed Diaries.�� Jennifer always features a nice mix of modern and traditional that doesn’t seem so damn trendy (Hello, cow� hides, antlers, owls, shell rockers, quirky pillows, and ironic posters).� My favorite post hands down is Right Amount of Black, mainly because I am injecting more and more black in my home and love that Martha and I both have cream cabinets and soapstone counters in our kitchen.
So tell me who you are reading, because I need to immerse myself in creative people, get thoroughly intimidated, and then decide to do nothing because it won’t measure up to my insane need to do things perfect on the first try.
Kidding!
Sort of.
But, really, I do want to hear about your favorites.
I’m finding it so very hard to be crafty lately but I’m hoping the holidays will bring on some motivation. Anyway… have you read Young House Love? http://www.younghouselove.com I can get lost in their archives– they’ve done some really lovely projects around their home.
Unfortunately no suggestions from this peanut gallery – but you can bet I’ll be checking back here to steal others’ suggestions. :-) But I did want to say I’m totally with you on the black thing – I have this sudden urge to replace all my picture frames with black ones. I’ve also been eyeing our ugly coffee table and wondering how hard would it be to paint it black.
I’m loving mostevilonion.blogspot.com. Really brand newbies, but fabulous.
Here is a blog I LOVE! Her house, her cloths, her photography…. http://amyfurstenau.blogspot.com/
I know what you mean about being in a creative funk… I’m there too. So much “regular” stuff to do and no time for creativity. I really need to do something about that. Good luck! :)
C
Oh! Great find, thank you!
i’m all about little green notebook right now. http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/
Another great find! Thank you!
that is the fluffiest/most ridiculous looking dog i’ve ever seen!!!
Here is another one I just thought of!!
http://makingitlovely.com/
AWESOME ideas!!!
Good luck!
I just found this blog, but I think it’s been around a while:
http://goodbonesgreatpieces.com/blog/
I’m really liking it.
I also think Erika at Urban Grace has some great little nuggets of information, but they’re not an everyday occurrence. I think it’s difficult for her, since she is a professional and needs to get paid for her design stuff. But her pics of her work are amazing. Some things I learned reading her blog: “curtain clips are not your friends” (too late at my house) and “the faucet is more important than the sink” (I can really use this one with several bathroom to update:)
http://blog.urbangrace.com/
Good luck and show us pictures of your back splash please!
This one, too:
http://bossycolorblog.blogspot.com/
I promise I’ll stop now:)
Hi from bossy color blog – thanks for recommending it, Nichole! Also check out Design Hole:
http://designholeonline.com/
and Colour Me Happy:
http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/
Great blog, P&FF! Glad to know about you.
Thanks (a bit late) for the kind words!!! Totally made my day.
Someone already mentioned it, but I love Jenny at Little Green Notebook. She does everything on a REAL budget (meaning, she doesn’t just attach the word budget so people will take note) and it all looks likea million bucks. Most of her stuff is pretty project-heavy, so it’s not for the faint of heart (or time).
And yes, yes, a million times yes, paint your door black! I’m in the midst of painting all of my interior doors, and it makes SUCH a difference.
I’m sure you know of this one but I didn’t see it in your blogroll… Apartment Therapy. It’s my favorite! http://www.apartmenttherapy.com
Yes, I actually subscribe to them, and I was on Ohdeedoh yesterday. (Hmmm, I wonder why? RED SHARPIE OF DEATH.)
Thanks for reminding me to put them on my blogroll, Kate!