The Importance of Proportion

When hanging anything on your wall proportion is very important.  Hanging something that is too small on a wall can make the room seem smaller.  This can also be true for pictures or objects that are too large for the space can make them look like they were hung without intention.

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Recently I had this issue.  You will see the before and after pictures below.  The problem we had was that the existing picture although a fantastic fun piece was too small for the wall.  Trust me I got a lot of flack for trying to move the Caddyshack painting!  Also don't mind the golf clubs in the picture.  They are a permanent fixture in the living room.  We decided to move it to a better location and filled the space with shelves. The shelves we got are the floating ones from Ikea.  They are simple to hang and have the clean lines we wanted. We didn't have a lot of space to display books or the pictures in the living room so the added bonus was that the shelves allowed us to add more accents to the room. (My favorite part). 

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Before

 

After
 

You will also see in the after picture we added a table with a lamp between the sofa and the chair this created a warmer cozier space by making a more intimate seating area.  It helped define the space.  Small changes with things we already had around the house pulled the living room together.

Makeover Monday - Too Much Dirt

The first task we needed to conquer in the yard was the dirt.  There was a lot of extra dirt that needed to be removed before we could begin any part of the project.  We hired a little help so that the removal would go faster and also so we had a truck to move the dirt.

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 It doesn't look like much but there were 5 truck loads taken out of here. 

 

 

The patio was the major part of the yard and we knew we were going to need help with it.  We hired someone to do the pour and finish work of the concrete. 

The two things that were most important for us were to match the existing concrete with texture and color, and to do it with as little cost as possible.  We decided to get colored concrete to avoid the cost of the finishing with staining process.  The color we picked matches the existing patio perfectly.  We were also able to save some money by renting the concrete skins instead of hiring the finish work out.  The skins added the texture to the newly poured concrete  allowing us to match our existing concrete patio.

  

   

 

Here is the patio, start to finish.  Just what we wanted

 

Sunday Funday - Skulls and Stars

One of my favorite places to eat in Bankers Hill area of San Diego is Barrio Star.  Not just because the food is AMAZING (what I would do for a homemade corn tortilla with jalapeno butter right now) but because the décor and ambiance is super fun. 

I love the bright colors with the festive and eclectic décor.  The seating makes for easy movement throughout the restaurant.  The space is open yet intimate enough you aren't yelling to hear the person across the table from you.   You find the little details everywhere throughout the space allowing your eye to wander freely and excite your creative side.  Welp, at least mine. 

 

Here are some of my favorite details in the space.   I love the chairs with the Eiffel Tower style leg.  This was an original design by Charles Eames  The skull detail at the top of the light with the chandelier lights.  Some of the tables are covered in the a faux ostrich leather.  The star lights add a fun detail and help define the hostess check in.  The last picture is the underside of the lights.  When you look up you see all of the writing inside. 

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Oh and did I mention the Jalapeno Margarita! Oh YUMMM. 

Re-Design Wednesday

Here it is folks, I can't believe it is already Wednesday!   With my new format for posts every Wednesday will be Re-design/DIY Wednesday.

 

I will be posting designs that are simple and easy to implement in your own home.  Using things you may already have, showing you how to use the same idea in different spaces.

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If you are a renter like I am, going from apartment to apartment or house to house it gets hard to keep the same furnishing and décor and use them again and again as the homes change.  Recently I used curtains I no longer had a use for as a shower curtain.  I am not a big fan of the sliding doors on a tub/shower combo.  I'd prefer to hide it, so I did.  I only had to buy the curtain rod and rings. See the difference!!  You get a shower curtain that is a little more than your average shower curtain.  For little to no money! 

Before

 

After

 

 

Makeover Monday

Well... I'm back.  Lets try this again.  As with any big change for a new big idea, you have to make a plan. I didn't before and now that I have one its GO TIME!

 

Today is Monday and Monday is now my Makeover MONDAY on the blog!  I will be posting re-designs.  Some big some small but all things you can easily do yourself. 

 

One big project I did this summer was completely transform our side yard.  My boyfriend and I worked for about six weeks almost everyday after work, and only one whole weekend to get the job done.  I'm going to show you what we did ourselves for a fraction of what the contractors bid us. 

First, here are the before pictures.  Yep we had a blank slate to work with.

 

 

 

 

Below is the design I drew up for us to work from.  This was the plan the whole time and it really helped to keep us on the same page.   There were things he wanted and things I wanted and we made it work into one cohesive design. 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't wait for you to see the finished yard….stay tuned each Monday to see a little more progress each week.

Happy 4th of July

The fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.  I have the best family memories from this day.  This year it will be very different for me as this will be the first time I am away from home.  This will also be the first year without my amazing Grandpa.  Today reminds me so much of him and the pride and honor he felt for our country.  Pop I miss you everyday and will be thinking of you.

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Whenever I see the American Flag I think of my Pop and smile.  Here are some fun inspiring photos for the 4th of July and a couple DIY projects from some awesome blogs!  

Fun Luminaries

Fun Easy Wreath

Ferry ride to Catalina

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Last but absolutely not least, my favorite picture of my Grandpa on 4th of July in 2006. I love you and will be celebrating thinking of you!

Food. And Design of Course.

A new little restaurant opened up down the road from my house.  Coronado has small little quaint places to eat and only a few kid friendly ones.  I am guessing that is what inspired the decision to open this little gem!  It is a hotdog restaurant! What kid doesn’t love hotdogs! What made me most excited when looking at the menu is that they also MAKE their own corndogs in fresh batter!! Ok so onto the design part. Can you tell that food is my other obsession?

Did I mention they also have sweet potato tots?!

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Besides the amazing food the design of the space is perfect.  The light colors they chose really brighten up the space.  They took out the front wall where the door is and put in a huge sliding door that is a full window.  The attention to the seating arrangement has changed the space from the restaurant it was before.  They lined the west wall with a counter to accommodate more guests and included booth and chair seating on the opposite side.  Narrow spaces are hard to design allowing for good traffic flow.  The placement of the ordering counter and the condiment station allows guests to enter and leave easily without much interruption. 

Love the colors on the wall

I'm obsessed with the industrial style of the chairs

The design of a restaurant can really make or break it for me.  If customers are not comfortable eating in the space the food really does not stand a chance.  It is a whole experience that they come for.  Service, atmosphere and taste!  Like some chefs say about food presentation, the customer is eating it when they see it, well before it enters the mouth.  I feel the same way with the experience of the restaurant.  Once I enter, either it excites me or makes me want to run screaming for the door.  Don’t get me wrong, I love dive hole in the wall restaurants with killer food, but those places I know what I am getting when I get there.

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The prior restaurant was dark and hard to navigate.  It was difficult to order and get seated without having to excuse yourself for being in everyone’s way. The new design with a fun menu has really changed this space.  Well done DeLish, well done!