Shutters?....Chic?!

Hi, hello, howdy :)

About a month ago I scored 8 old white shutters, great condition, just need to be cleaned. I think they were $5 for the bunch.
 
I excitedly scooped them up because they looked interesting and were so cheap...but then I got them in the garage and propped them up in a corner...and there they've stayed collecting dust ever since. Partly, they just haven't been a top priority to do anything with since I've had clients, (patiently), waiting for their pieces to be done. But, even if I had all the time in the world I think they'd still be sitting there. Why??? Because while I like the look of shutters as decor, I just don't know if my style is quite in 'that' direction. There's something about accessorising with shutters that seems to be too much of a step towards country cupboard for me. However, I like rustic - but I also like sophisticated, (which is funny since my home is outnumbered in toddlers to adults). So, I've done a little research to find some ideas for shutters that are clean and chic. We've all seen pictures of shutters being used as headboards, or as a place to collect photos and note cards, or attached with hooks to hang things from, or even anchored with legs and made into coffee tables. I can't imagine trying to set my glass of wine down on a shutter tabletop....(if you have one of these shutter tables, I hope I'm not offending you! Just being honest....). While all these ideas are very creative and lovely, they just aren't me. Without further adieu, here are some ideas for shutters I would definitely consider for my own home:
 
Simple and stunning propped up or hung against an empty wall in an elegant dining room. The contrast of the rustic shutters to the grand dazzling chandeliers is perfection.

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NOT a headboard, but rather anchoring a bed and attached with sconces. These are reclaimed doors instead of shutters, but large shutters would do the trick.
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Let's not forget about keeping it simple. Propping a single smaller shutter up against a wall on an end table can satisfy the aesthetic need for some height without sacrificing your walls with holes. Great if you're renting with restrictions on hanging things...or unsure about how to complete an empty spot!
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I love me some pop art! This is just super cool. I'd put this above a sofa, buffet, bed, in a hallway...easy, fun, and a great punch of color.
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Heavenly. This room divide is such a simple idea, but has so much impact visually. It anchors both rooms in a soft and romantic kind of way. This would be my first project if I lived in an open studio apartment. Great idea, too, for open floor plan homes. Create an entrance 'hall' if your front door opens up to a large room. Separate a living room from a dining room. Create two guest's bedrooms out of one with a shutter divide between twin beds, (oh la la, risque!)
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 And if none of these ideas appeal to you, there's always this:
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After searching image after image of ideas for shutters, I think I've found one to try. Stay tuned for how I use my stash!
 
Have any other ideas for shutters? Please share, I'd love to know!!
 
~Chelsea
 

Smokin hot knees


Hello there! After a few hours of finishing today's featured project, my knees were covered in this gotta have color.


What do you get when you take 3 mismatched pairs of wooden chairs and paint them all this smokin hot color?

A totally unique, one of a kind dining seating set!
 
I had the absolute pleasure of working with a wonderfully creative client who picked out the chairs and the color and left the rest in my hands. Can you believe that 2 of these chairs were minty green, 2 were white and the other two were a reddish wood, (it's no secret on here that I am horrible with knowing my wood types)? After hours of stripping, staining, sanding, painting, distressing, waxing and buffing....they are a unified collection.

 
I can't wait to see what fabric this gal picks out for her seat cushions!
 





Umm, I kind of love this! It was fun to try this seating set on around our table and see how it comes together. Maybe a future project?

I've had a lot of requests lately for dining benches. I've done a few so far and really like that idea, too! Any thoughts or opinions out there on dining benches? Please share!

~Chelsea

Dreaming a room

The time has almost arrived! The opportunity I have been waiting for, longing for, preparing for. The thing I have so badly wanted to do since we found out we were pregnant the first time around over 3 years ago. Creating a girls room.:)

When we found out we were pregnant with boy-girl twins, I happily went to work collecting items to put together a neutral nursery that was bright and fun and full of joy! I LOVED the twins' first nursery in our apartment.

When we moved I changed things up and made their room into a Dr. Seuss land. It is so much fun - they love pointing to the characters and they know (most of) them by name!

Then when we found out Mason would be a boy it was an exciting challenge for me to create a boy nursery. Knowing we would someday move the boys in together, I didn't want to spend a lot of money or time on a particular theme. I chose some colors I liked, (actually, Colin had a pair of striped pajamas that I really liked - navy blue and gray stripes with orange 'trim' on the ankles and sleeves - his pjs inspired the colors of his brother's nursery lol). Mason's nursery is one of my favorite rooms in our home....probably because of the fond memories I have in there. Oh, the hours spent, rocking, nursing, singing, swaying...my heart is filled with joy just thinking about it.:)

But, we're nearing the time to let the boys be boys and give our daughter a little space of her own. I started collecting little items for Shire's room when she, (and Colin), was merely months old. I knew that someday the twins would probably have their own rooms and I started dreaming.
Our Shire is no princess.... 

The princess pinks and purples are not for her. She is the most imaginative, creative, active, whimsical and kind little girl I know and as I've gotten to know her better it's become more clear how I'd like to decorate her room. Layers of color, patterns and fabrics, space to be creative, and room to grow have all been strong influences behind the pieces that I've collected. Here are some rooms that have caught my eye as spaces that have an idea or two that I've been dreaming of for Shire's room:
 
My daughter, with the wild imagination, may she forever be a dreamer

 
Layering small mismatched rugs, wallpaper on one wall, hits of color high on the ceiling... so whimsical and so much going on. Not for everyone but very much my Shire.
 Source via Apartment Therapy
 
S-H-E. Love this.:)
 
Beautiful headboard idea and I've got several windows hanging out in the garage...hmm.
 Source unknown - if you know please comment so I can credit where due

Yup, love it all, (except for maybe the old dolls on the dresser and hanging from the cupboard door...I just realized I think old dolls are creepy)
 
Well, the wheels are spinning and I've got some fun ideas to work on before the big move. And don't think I've discounted my little men! I may have most of Shire's room collected and ready to set up, but the picture in my head of what the boys room could be is pure awesome, (and mostly free my sweet husband who I'm hoping is learning that my big ideas usually amount to nearly nothing out of pocket!)
 
Have you recently put together a nursery or big kid's room? Leave a comment and tag some pics! I love seeing children's rooms!!
 
~Chelsea