DIY X Benches

 

Ya'll know that I've been working away on my mudroom.  I wanted to share my xbench transformation with you.  It was such a simple project.  I was searching for stylish and fun x benches to put underneath the console table but I didn't want to spend a fortune.  So, I decided to transform them myself! 

I found a basic bench at Linens & Things: The MET15 - Metro X-Leg Square Bench for $115 each. 

I ordered the Calico Corner Seeing Spots in Noir @ $21.99/yard.  I ordered 2 yards total because I guesstimated that each bench would require one yard (this was pretty on target with a tad extra).

 

I assembled the wood legs of the bench.  Then literally placed the fabric on the floor with the bench cushion on top.  I folded the fabric over the cushion with plenty room to spare and proceeded to "wrap" the cushion in the fabric.  I staple gunned the fabric to the back of the chair and then screwed the cushion into the legs.  (Way more description than necessary for everyone that has done this before!)

 

 

Repeat process times two...

 

 

There's going to be a lot of black and white in the room once I add the rug.  I decided to pull the pink from the Jonathan Adler Jackie O Pillow that I have and add a fuschia cord trim around the benches for an extra pop.  I ordered the cord online from Hobby Lobby. 

 

5mm Hot Pink Twist Cord, 5 yards @ $3.99

 

As of this post, I still haven't glued the cording to the bench because I want to make sure it's not going to "cheapen" the look of the bench.  I'm trying to maintain the style integrity of the room.  I have so many fun ideas that I'd like to use in the room.  Some of them are daring (e.g. grosgrain ribbon nailhead trim) and yet, I want to make sure that I won't "mess up" anything that is already in the room.  We invested a bit of money in the Meg Braff  wallpaper and I'd die if anything happened to it, but if I could pull off the nailhead trim, I think I'd be over the moon happy with that accomplishment....
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an update on my xbenches (know ya'll are so tired of hearing bout these things, ha!).
I took the advice from Elizabeth at The Little Black Door and Linda at Calling It Home and stitched the trim around the benches rather than hot gluing...(lord knows I avoid a needle and thread at any cost and have been known to safety pin buttons back onto pants rather than sew them). But they reassured me that this will allow me to remove the trim at a later date if I decide it's too much pink.

and, voila!

Mudroom Gets Groovy

 The mudroom is ready for the Meg Braff Up In A Tree Bamboo Green install!  (If you missed it, I decided to put this wallpaper in my mudroom...read more here).  

The install is happening TODAY!

 

How did this all go down?  Ya'll know I had to have this paper *somewhere* in my house!  Literally about a month ago, I was walking around my house with the sample swatch desperately trying to find it's home.  That's when it happened.  That light bulb moment.  I recalled Annie Selke's  garage painted in brightly colored vertical stripes (see here).  This transcended into her mudroom.  She was quoted saying "Why live like a cave dweller?" 



Annie Selke's Garage Makeover Courtesy House Beautiful

Suddenly, it all made sense!  Now granted, I'm not painting vertical stripes in my garage/mudroom.  But it's the same concept.  Why can't a transitional, usually functional space have pizazz and spunk!? 

Introducing, the before photos of my mudroom.  It will never be the same again.  (Thank Goodness)

And Annie, honey, thank you for the inspiration that I've held onto for years!  I have finally put it to good use!!!

 

 

 

So now it should all make sense...here's that mudroom door I wanted to paint in a high gloss...The choices were a) turquoise, b) tangerine, c) yellow, d) black lacquer e) other...

 I decided to go the turquoise route for starters. I am starting with Benjamin Moore Tropicana Cabana 2048-50 first. I've done the first coat. Will let it sit overnight and see how it looks once the paper is installed tomorrow. If it's not bold enough I also bought the next darker turquoise, Ben Moore Poolside Blue 2048-40. If I'm not in love with that, then I'll do the black lacquer!


 

Look for "after" photos of the mudroom later this week!

xoxoxo
Heather

Up In a Tree Lands in the Mud!

My infatuation with Meg Braff's Up in a Tree Bamboo Green Wallpaper is no secret. As soon as I spotted it, I knew I must have it *somewhere* in my house.

Photo from High Point Market Showroom introducing the Meg Braff Wallcovering

 

It started with the guest bedroom.  I created my little Olioboard with bursts of orange crush velvet and a chinoiserie mirror...

Shortly thereafter, I decided to try the Meg Braff in the sunroom instead (read more here).   I loved the idea of mixing the green and turquoise, but I was always a bit hesitant of getting rid of the turquoise walls that I love so much in that room! 



So my mind continued to think of any other room in the house.  I considered powder rooms.  But I loved this paper so much, I wanted it to be a STATEMENT piece in the house.  And then it happened.  The 'aha' moment!  I recalled the Annie Selke mudroom that I'd seen in House Beautiful and I loved it so much because it was so colorful! 

Annie Selke Mudroom (Courtesy of House Beautiful)

 It occurred to me, the mudroom is one transitional area of the house that is overlooked.  We come into the house from the garage and cross right through to the kitchen.  Our mudroom is crisp and clean (haha, for the most part) but it has no pizazz!  Nothing to write home about. 

WELL YOU JUST WAIT!

Tada.....that Meg Braff paper is going in my MUDROOM people!  From head to toe!  And to top it off, I am going to paint my mudroom interior door a bright color! 
 

 

House Beautiful

 

Go Simply Saavy

 

Houuz

 

Now, I need your input...what color should I paint the interior door?

A. Sunshine Yellow (similar to above)
B. Turquoise
C. Orange
D. Lacquer Black
E. Your own suggestion


Thanks for any input!  I hope you're as excited about this as I am!  I'll be posting before and after photos of this...Hopefully it will be papered in the next week.

xoxoxo
Heather