{Day Two}

When I arrived at my room this morning I was delighted to see the wallpaper already up, thanks to Skip from Decker Wallcovering.

I added some burlap trim to the seems on the black wall.

The the metal wainscoting went up, ahhhh! Can you hear the angels singing?

Before I left for the day I hung the drapes (which are really shower curtains) made by the adorable Paige of Christine Shirley

And you might have spied this in one of the photos...more on that next week.

{ Day ONE of setting up a Designer Room }

This week I'll guide you through how we set up a designer room.

We start with plywood walls. The room is 20' x 12".

A custom floor was made by Jay Chaikin from J.C. Woodworking and the Nat Geo salvage reality show, Abandon.

I'm done.

Kidding, lot's more to do, but is this floor great or what?

A proud Jay.

The last thing we did on day one was this black wall.

Here is the original design board of the room. Some things have been changed, altered or edited since this was created.

If you just can't wait 'til tomorrow's post, follow me here throughout the day.

If you'd like to experience this room in person, it will be unveiled Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 am at

The Philadelphia Convention Center.

For more information and hours, go here.

{ Crazy for Gingham }

I think I have finally made a decision about my dining room. (you can see more of my dining room here...)

Although I love my room, it needs a little punch.

So, I've decided on gingham. Large, black, gingham. Wahoo

Here are the inspiration photos that led me to this decision...

I love how this grass green looks against the walls, so I'll be painting the wainscoting green. Goodbye boring white!

The Hunted Interior

{Vintage Sign Workshop - Sunday Jan.27th}

I'll be at the 23rd St. Armory in Philadelphia, PA today giving a tutorial on vintage style signs.
Stop by and say hello if your in the Philadelphia area!

Spotlight on Design–Chip Wade

If you are looking for something to do this Wednesday evening, then please join Chip Wade and the cast of Elbow Room on HGTV.  If you read my blog then you know that cast includes yours truly!

The cocktail reception goes from 6-8pm on Wednesday, January 30th.  If you can come please rsvp to RSVP@lizlapiduspr.com. 

See you there!

Switch Modern is located in West Midtown at 1193 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta.

{ You Decide - and a giveaway }

Have I told you lately that I'll have an upcycled design room at The Philadelphia Home Show?

Well surprise, surprise, here I am telling you again.

There are tons of great things at the show this year. 

Dana and I will have our own craft room, so you can come and create with us right there at the show!

I'll also be hosting 3 presentations , "Upcycling - formerly know as trash picking". I'll be giving you tips and tricks to help you create your own vintage look in your home. Plus, I'll have some really cool giveaways  thanks to Ki Nassuer and Flea market Style Magazine.

So, here's where you come in...

Which area rug should I use in my room at the show?

The black and white buffalo check will be on the walls, along with a little surprise wainscoting that you will die over! But, I'm not telling any more.

Leave your choice of rug in the comments.

The first person to comment with the name of the rug company that these rugs are from wins a six pack of tickets to the show (Feb 2-10 in Philadelphia, PA), so if you can't make the show, hold your tongue.

Okay, I'll be back with more updates on the show room soon!

{ Our Den }

It's just a little minute of a room that's really part of the kitchen. At one point in it's life it was a dining room.

And every now and then it's all tidied up and clean. And I feel proud.

So, here's our little den looking clean and fresh as a shinny new penny.

{ Decoupage Music Sheet Dresser }

 

I like to use dresser for night stands in bedrooms. 

I can't stand night tables. They're cute and all, but do not function well at all and are just a plain waste of space.

So, I like a good sized dresser next to my bed, so I can actually put things in it besides a few pens, and old book and some all around crap.

I found this dresser for $4. Yes, you read that right. FOUR DOLLARS.

How? 'Cause I know where to shop. If you'd like to learn how I do it, meet me here - Philadelphia Home Show.

I liked the dresser just the way it was.

But, my crafty heart got the best of me, and I started working on this dresser.

I love it. And I love the dark graphite gray paint I used for the body of the dresser.

It all works so great with my mis-matched bedding.

But, of course I can not sit still for too long and I have BIG plans for this room.

I've give you a hint. It involves mom caves, unused rooms and this giant gingham print. (and it won't be on a floor)

That's all I'm saying for now. Except that it drives Danny crazy that I am always up to something.

If your on instagram (and if you're not, you're missing some great eye candy!) follow me here to get sneak peeks and updates on things I don't post anywhere else.

sharing here

{ Staging a Mantel }

My new year's resolution is to leave well enough alone.
So I'm starting with my mantel. I'd like to set something up in my house. Then leave it alone for Pete's sake!
Uugh! I can not stop fiddling with things around here.
So, I'm setting up my mantel and trying not to change it til summer.

Here's how my brain works when I'm doing a project like this...follow along if you like.
Or heck, just jump straight to the last photo.

If you're still here, here goes.
I start with a clean slate. Remove everything and give the mantel a wipe.

I start with a large item. Like this hunka' wood from behind a friend's barn.

This is how I hang things like the hunks wood. 2 of these and a heavy duty wire strung between them.

I gather bits and pieces of things from around the house.

And I set up a little tool/work station.  You never know when you'll need a fork.

Then, let the staging begin... a collection of books first.

I keep my lap top handy so I can refer to my DIY Mantel page of images I've been collecting. I get great ideas from all my favorite bloggers from here. Sometimes times it's the tiniest little thing that will give you tons of inspiration for your own project.

I even sketch out what I'm thinking sometimes.

I'll often tweet for suggestions while working on projects. Hearing your ideas always gives me a new perspective on things. 

(thanks for the vote to tied up the books ladies ;)

I knew I'd want a pop of color, so this frame is perf.

I'll do my best to leave this part of my house alone.

sharing at