QUESTION: Have you ever seen something while shopping that just “speaks” to you…like calls your name incessantly…tortures you with intrigue for days? This dilema is intensified when it makes absolutely no sense to buy said object…  Well, I would like to introduce you to my latest impractical, nonsensical, and outrageous Craigslist purchase…

Yep, that’s right. I couldn’t have fallen in love with pretty lighting. Nope! I had to crush on the lamps with the fuzzy gold shades that are almost as tall as my youngest child. DANG! WHY? Why couldn’t I have just walked into a normal store like everyone else and bought a pair of gorgeous lamps. Ugh! …I know why… It’s because I could see the potential in these lovely ladies. Stinkin’ potential!

As ugly as they are, I spent two days trying to convince myself that I could even keep the amazingly “unique” shades in some capacity. In the end, however, it was the scale of these shades that broke the deal. These furry monsters were just too gargantually large for the mid-century pieces in the room. Don’t worry though :), I stored the shades safely in my garage…just in case they need to make an appearance in my next house.

I have this groovy Mid-Century Modern dresser that I picked up during one of my sketchier craigslist purchases (yes mom, I had a friend with me).  

It was obviously screaming for a make-over!   I would have stripped it and painted it navy, but…

1. I am moving in 8 months and don’t know what room it will end up in my next home.
2. This is only a six week design challenge. No time for stripping here.
3. I have always adored a preppy yet sophisticated look.
4. I found this gorgeous velvet on sale for $3 a yard at Joanne’s last week…

so yep, this is happening…

AFTER

I hand sewed some ribbon that I scored on clearance at Joanne’s. I simply added a gold spray-painted Walmart mirror on top to glam it up a bit. Then I added my pair of freshly topped lamps, some DIY art, accessories, and fresh flowers…EASY and stunning!

I love to reinforce a color scheme and design themes in each vignette of a room I decorate. This dining room is no exception, especially since it is only one section of a much larger great room. That means in this little tiny space I needed to add rich berries, blushy peaches, dramatic stripes, bits of gold, and romantic flowers.  One surefire way to tie it all together was to recover books in the paper of my choice.  Not only did these now fashionably feminine books bring the space together, they also anchored these fabulous West Elm book ends.

I spray painted an old ceramic vase gold on the bottom and chalk painted the top peach. As you may have realized by now, I have a thing for Kate Spade. I threw one of her books into the current tablescape design. I selected the oversized ginger jar because it had traditional lines, yet a timeless pattern. I feel like it balances the modern glass, brass, and fiberglass 🙂

I have been able to do this entire space for oh so little cash (reference my DIY PAINTED SOFA TUTORIAL if you don’t believe me), but I knew that I wanted -no, needed – to splurge on the curtains.  I don’t mean splurge, as in walk into an upscale store and buy expensive drapes already made, but rather order the samples and sew them from scratch. I found the most amazing dupoini silk in my price range, under $20 a yard, from Fabric.com (my go-to website for fabric for the last 9 years).  I purchased them extra long with the hope that they will drape the floor of any home we move into next. I love the nubby texture, but especially adore the full bodied-drape that only real silk can deliver.  I have received the first 8 of the 26 yards required…What do you think?  Was it worth the splurge?  Now I just hope the rest of the fabric gets delivered quickly. Time’s a tickin.

Thanks again to Linda, from Calling it Home, for hosting the entertaining and inspirational One Room Challenge. Be sure to click here to check out the over 200 other bloggers who are tackling the room of their choice. 

Also, HOT OFF THE PRESS…The competition has been extended another week.  That means we get to enjoy one more week of FUN!