How to Change Your Home to Look Like Your Pinterest Boards

Also, How to Declutter, Lighten & Brighten Your Home.

Also, How to COMPLETELY Change Your Home Decorating Style

 

See if this sounds familiar to you.

 

I was looking at my Pinboards--two in particular. One was titled A Home: Shabby, Vintage & Timeworn. The other was A Farmhouse Home. These boards are where I collect all the photos of homes that I admire. THESE are what I want MY life to BE like!

As I was looking through them, I noticed something. Something disturbing. These photos did not look much like my own home. In fact, my house didn't look like these at all.

Now, I understand that my modest under-100k house is not going to look like a castle or mansion, but a lot of these photos were not unattainable. In fact, a few simple changes, a coat of paint, and I could probably DO this. I was surprised at all the changes that I COULD make... but just never did.

That's when I decided to look up things like, "How to Change Your Decorating Style" and "How to Lighten and Brighten Your Home." While I found a few interesting articles, there really just wasn't much out there. I wanted REAL advice. I wanted BEFORE & AFTER photos of someone who had done this. What I got were lots of text-heavy articles with no proof, no pictures. Or else I got lots of lovely "after" photos without much explanation of how to get there.

That's when I decided to CHANGE things myself... and write about it. And post pictures. You are benefiting from my breakdown. Enjoy!





Find these photos and their links here



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, how DO you turn those pinboards into reality? I began by asking myself a few questions. And I was surprised by the answers.

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2015/02/
sweet-scents-in-bedroom.html

1. Take a look at your favorite pins of rooms you admire. What color are the walls?
In almost all my favorite pins, I was surprised to find the walls were white. Not only the walls, but also the trim around doors and windows. "But I like color!" I said to myself. "I like natural hardwood floors and trim." And yet, all my Pins told another story. Apparently, I like white more than I realized. It makes a nice, neutral backdrop for adding subtle color. It also lightens and brightens a room! Who knew?
 

2. What are 5 features/items that you like about your pin rooms?
These were my answers:
-Textures: stone, worn wood
-Linen - raw, homespun, natural fibers
-Beadboard/Weathered Wood - natural, white and clean
-Light/Airy Feeling - from the walls to the curtains, to the slipcovers.
-Space Open but Cozy - light and airy, but also cozy (not cluttered!) showcasing vintage pieces

Find these photos and their links on my pinboards: https://www.pinterest.com/thegoodvillain/

3. What DON'T you like about your current space? 
For me, this was primarily my dining room. My computer is also in this space, along with six (yes SIX) cupboards. I don't like the clutter (although I love all my knick knacks, but a girl has to choose). I don't like the dark wood floor and trim (but painting isn't an option as we might very soon be moving to another state, and I don't want to put that much work/time/money into it).

My dining room had a LOT of orangy wood in it. Not to mention serious clutter.

4. What DO you like about your current space?
I'd already begun the Great Pinboard Revolution in my dining room. I'd traded out our old, dark wood dining table for a thrift store fixer-upper, which I refinished myself. I'd also painted our walls five different times before settling on a vanilla latte color--it wasn't exactly white, but it was close. Finally, I'd traded in my heavy, dark draperies for sheer whites. (Click here for my post about rag garlands for curtains.) It was a good start, but my work wasn't done yet!



This was my dining room after PHASE 1. I updated the table and cleared some clutter. This was a good look for me, but I had to get rid of that desk and fake tree.

5. Now COMBINE these to make yourself a plan!
So, what can we learn here, kiddos? Apparently, I like white walls and trim. Unfortunately, this isn't an option for me right now, but I CAN bring more white into my space. Also, I like stone and worn wood. I like raw linens, beadboard, a light airy feeling and above all... a clutter-free space.

I took a look around my dining room and made a plan. First, I vowed to eliminate ONE of those SIX cabinets. This would help cut down on clutter. I also vowed to BOX UP some of the stuff in my room. I didn't have to donate it (although I probably should). But I could STORE it in neat little plastic tubs and cycle it out as the year went by, switching out one candlestick for another. You get the idea.

Also, why not paint one or two of those SIX cabinets white? It would add some white to the space, tone down those heavy woods and also lighten and brighten! Sadly, there's not much room for linens in my dining room, so I would need to save those for the living room. I would REALLY love to put up a beadboard celing with some reclaimed wood beams, but time and budget won't allow. Still, I have a plan!

My Plan:
-Declutter. Pack away extra items.
-Eliminate one of those cabinets.
-And paint one or two of them WHITE. I can DO this!

I'm hoping to implement my "plan" after our move. I'm looking forward to that clean slate, and I intend to do things differently this time.

• I vow to take charge of my own space. If I want light, airy, painted wood, then I'm going to GO for it. No more of mom's voice in my ear saying, "You can't paint WOOD!"
• I will remember how I like a few vintage showcase pieces, not eight-million knick knacks cluttering up my house.
• And I won't let myself be lazy and just let a space sort of... happen. I will decide! I can DO this!

So can you.

BEFORE (or actually, mid-makeover).

AFTER (or actually, as much as I can do in my current home).



Vintage elements (not clutter): old suitcase (hiding all my books) and of course, my signature birdcage. ;)



I eliminated a cabinet! I am SO proud of me! I get a cookie.

Things are still a bit cluttered, but one step at a time, right? :)

Want more decorating ideas?

Check out my post on updating your home's style!

 

Edison Lamp Bookends & A Clock

Edison Lamp Bookends - by What's On My Porch

EDISON LAMP BOOKENDS
I am often inspired by other people's projects, and these Edison Lamp Bookends are no exception. I was browsing Etsy when I came across a bookend with a light bulb in it. I loved it! But the design was rather simple for me. I wondered what it would be like to make my own bookends with a little embellishment. So, I got to work. Or rather, Hubby got to work--cutting boards and assembling them into cute little L-shapes.

I knew I wanted my bookends to have feet. I experimented with lots of ideas: including Tim Holtz feet and deals on Ebay and even those little rubber dots. In the end, I decided on a package of large wooden beads from Walmart. Sounds weird, but they were perfect, and the variety means I can get lots of different looks if I want to make more bookends!

I also knew I wanted corner details. The Tim Holtz corners work here. It's not as expensive
when I just use two in my design. Also, I LOVE vintage keys, and I happened to have a bunch that I purchased at a yard sale this summer... just waiting for a project. Also, my husband bought a toolbox with a length of old chain inside. Voila! I decided to string the chain across using eyelets to fasten it, then i just slid one of the keys onto the chain. It can be unhooked and fastened to just one side if you want to make room for more books.

The bulb is an Edison bulb that I bought online. The low wattage and amber glow are very
romantic, perfect for this project... plus you can see the cool looping filaments inside.

The bookends themselves I whitewashed and then stained a dark walnut to give them that old, weathered driftwood look. All-in-all I LOVE how they turned out.

Edison Lamp Bookends - by What's On My Porch

CLOCK

Alarm Clock Makeover - What's On My Porch

I purchased this sweet little alarm clock at Walmart. It was plain and silver, but I knew it had potential. I've been wanting to start a vintage clock collection, but I couldn't find a cool, rusted clock in my price range. So, I made one.

Alarm Clock Makeover - What's On My Porch

I started by disassembling the clock with a small screwdriver. Then I spray-painted the silver pieces black. I forgot about one of the hands (which was red) so I had to go back and do that one. I've probably disassembled and reassembled this thing twenty times. (And now I have to do it again because I didn't get the second hand on tight
enough and it's not moving--sigh.)

Alarm Clock Makeover - What's On My Porch

I also found a cute clock face online (I like roman numerals). I manipulated the size in Photoshop and printed it on some script scrapbook paper, although regular would do. Then I coffee stained it. I was bummed because my printer is left-brained, and I am not, so I accidentally printed it upside down... this means my script is upside down while my clock face is right side up. Sigh again. but I decided to just go with it.

After the silver parts were spray painted, I gave the whole thing a coat of acrylic flat brown (not glossy). Then I faux rusted it using burnt sienna (an orangey brown), gray, and just a little copper. I dabbed these on randomly with a sponge brush until I got the look I wanted.

I glued the clock face over the old one and put the clock back together. I LOVE it! It does still work, but the alarm hand got messed up during the re-assemble, and now I have no idea how to set the alarm to the right time. But that wasn't really the point, so I'm still happy. :)