Coming Soon to MadeByGirl...

Have a relaxing weekend! 

Buy them here

-image by jen ramos

Painting A Sofa

Yup, that's right. Ever paint a sofa?!?!?

Sometimes I receive submissions for DIY projects that blow me away, this is a DIY that did just that. 

Bethy who blogs over at I Just Love Today - decided to take on a weekend project by painting a sofa she bought on Craigslist for $75!

Below, she summarizes how she did it.

I just used a generic Walmart brand of paint in a color they matched from a pricier brand. The color they matched it to is: Glidden Rainforest Fern. There are plenty of other colors but I wanted a warmer tone of green! 

If you'd like to try something like this, here's what you'll need for this entire project: 

• Latex Semi-gloss paint 
• Fabric/Textile Medium 
• Scented paint additive (Glade French Vanilla) 
• Paint brush 

 

Would you ever consider doing this type of DIY project??? Or would you rather buy a new sofa?!?

If you'd like more in depth info or have any questions, visit Bethy's blog & email her there! Hmmm I'm totally inspired now....since my sofa is WHITE!!!


 Have a lovely weekend everyone!!



-images via I Just Love Today

 

Design: Room Dividers

Hello all! This is Brooke Jones from Modern Sophisticate talking about room dividers. Interior designers always have a few tricks up their sleeves for typical design dilemmas.  One of my favorite solutions for converting awkward areas into fabulous spaces is the use of a folding floor screen. 

Do you have unsightly pipes in a corner?

Put a screen in front of it.  Have an open concept space you need help defining? Use a screen as a room divider. Not only are screens the master of disguise, they are always a great way to add instant drama and visual interest.

Here are three screens paired with pieces for a home office...

an entryway vignette...

and a Master Bedroom...

How would you use a screen in your home?

Golden Glamour

1. Arteriors Gilded Wood Open-Work Screen

2. Bungalow 5 Jacqui Console/Desk

3. Pieces Hide Slipper Chairs

Clean & Classic

1. Victoria Hagan Carroll Folding Screen

2. High Street Market 1950's Italian Wheat Sheaf Side Table 

3. MG+BW Major Chair Satin Brass

Royal Tradition

1. Windsor Smith Anna Sophia Screen

2. Furbish Brass Urchin

3. Circa Lighting Thornton Table Lamp

4. 1st Dibs Dorothy Draper Chest

-Post by brooke herdman

Elements of Style Shop in Australia!

Today, I'd love to introduce you all to Gabrielle Di Stefano who runs an online boutique by the name of Elements Of Style out of Australia! She sources lots of hard to find objects & makes them available to customers via her shop, which I'm already in love with! Most of the items in the shop are home accessories to create interest in anyone's place!


My favorite piece is the designer brass bowl, I could totally see this on my little dining table! Its now on my wishlist! Enjoy!

-images via elements of style

Renting: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Hello MadeByGirl readers! I'm Elizabeth Sullivan- Interior designer & blogger over at Modern 24/7 blog! This Tuesday, I'll be sharing my rental experience with all of you!

THE GOOD

I have always lived in rentals. I have a nomadic nature and I love to move every six months to a year. I also sell everything from my apartment when I move and start over with a different look. Being able to change things up because you are not obligated to anything and you have so little space to fill. 

You can try out different styles and furnishings and not feel like you have to keep them forever. You are not responsible for any problems with the apartment and can just call the super to fix things. You usually have great security and amenities in a rental as well. 

If your landlord lives in another state like mine does, you can pay them via Paypal & never have to see them at all!

                                          
                                        
  

THE BAD

Now, the unfortunate part of apartment living: you are paying for someone else to build equity. You are literally paying another person's mortgage. 

You could probably find a home to own where your mortgage would be the same as your rent and you would be building equity and putting your money somewhere you could get it back out.      
                                                

THE UGLY

And the super ugly of renting – like several people have mentioned, living in a building with hundreds of other people is just gross. Someone on my hall is smoking or cooking exotic food every day and I have to smell it when I come home. There is also the noise of the garbage chute and the general dirtiness of the building to look at.   

But all in all – the pros outweigh the cons for me. I love the FREEDOM renting affords me. Wishing you the best of luck on your rental adventure in the city! You are going to have an amazing time! 

If you'd like to share, the good, the bad, the ugly of living in a rental, email me your submission with 3-4 pictures of your apartment! Pls use the same format as above!

-images by elizabeth sullivan

Design: Design with Malachite!

Hi everyone! Drew from Coral Café here.

Since March is the month of green, I'm bringing you a luxe mineral that's rapidly emerging in the interior design world. Malachite. The texture and color is sure to captivate the rooms in any home and leave you mesmerized with the swirls and organic lines found in this semi-precious stone.

1) Robert Massello Chairs

2) Placemats

3) Craig Van Den Brulle Lamp

4) Robert Massello Mirror5) Vivre Box6) V and M Table7) Minima Design Trumeau8) Skullis Skull9) Faberge Frame10) Marjorie Skouras Design Table Just look at the walls, window treatments and accessories used in these spaces! Beyond breathtaking! 

Kelly Wearstler

             

My Interior Life via Pinterest

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

Design Sponge

Houses Gardens People

-Post by drew humphries

Photographer Adrian Wilson

Hello everyone! Thank you for the lovely comments some of you left for me in my Friday post... it's been a stressful few days - but things got better on Sunday, thank God.
 

When things aren't going so well, I LOVE looking at pretty photographs, I day DREAM and pretend to be in those places (in my mind of course) ever done that before?!?  Yesterday, while day-dreaming I came across photographer, Adrian Wilson. His work is stunning - and I can't seeM to get enough of it. The staircase looking down image is just brilliant, don't you think? 


For those of you who would like to know more about Adrian Wilson & his work, check out his site here.

Hope his work inspires you on this Monday afternoon....

-images by adrian wilson

Fashion: Pretty Nail Polish

Hello MBG readers! It's Casie Mace bringing you a post about Nail Polish! How gorgeous are some of the nail colors available now??!! Pastels are one of the biggest trends for nail lacquers this season and there are three brands that just hit the nail on the head (though some of these colors are from previous collections). I'm mildly obsessed with Chanel's Ballerina (can you say perfect pink?).

 

And I love the periwinkle shade of Deborah Lippmann--it's the perfect hue if you're feeling a bit daring but want to keep it dainty. 
 

   

Which one are you most excited to wear this season?!

 Essie: A Crewed Interest | To Buy or Not to Buy | Absolutely Shore Chanel: 535 May | 167 Ballerina | 539 June Deborah Lippmann: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun | Glitter in the Air (sheer) | I Know What Boys Like 

-post by casie mace

Calypso Home in NYC....

Hi again!  It's been so busy around here. Sometimes, I stop & wonder how I manage to do all the things I do.  Many days, I'm EXHAUSTED...& on top of work, I've been dealing with a lot of personal things lately, some good, some bad...I wish I could tell you EVERYTHING that's going on right now, but it would take an entire post & I'm not even sure I'm ready. Praying that God will guide us in the right direction is all we can do. Either way, the show must go on & work is what we do, right? So, here I go, doing what I LOVE to do, write. 
 

Today, I wanted to introduce you to a wonderful shop here in Manhattan called Calypso Home. 


I'm sure many of you New Yorkers already know this cool little place, but for those who don't.... it's one of my favorite stores along with Lillian August, so if you're headed to NYC - you must stop at both! Take a look at all the goodies they have for the home!

-images by jen ramos

LOCATION: 
407 Broome Street 
New York, NY 10013