Crushing on Valentine Hearts

Would it be odd to decorate for Valentine's Day? Because it might be nice to sprinkle the house with little hearts...

Paper Heart Garland via Pinterest, Little Stone Hearts by Sarah&Bendrix on Etsy

Valentine Pad-Printed Bowls from West Elm, Heart Garland by Grace Street Paper on Etsy

Little Vintage Hearts by Sarah&Bendrix on Etsy

I love hearts as a graphic pattern, but ugh, look at me- I just kicked the Christmas tree to the curb, and I'm already moving on to decorate for another holiday. Too soon, Elizabeth. 

...but I think I will start tinkering with some letterpress Valentines.

Paper Heart

I'm feeling particularly lovey-dovey this year, what with all the wedding planning going on, so I decided to put together some valentines for family and friends...

Shimmery paper banners, suede hearts, a favorite photo, and simple sentiments. 

Beyond valentines, I'm also designing save-the-date cards and other paper goods for the wedding, which I'll be printing myself with my new Epic 6 letterpress! I told you I was feeling ambitious- I've practically transformed our dining room into a little stationery studio. However, I'll be taking a day off for a romantic drive up to Sausalito with Adam this weekend. It is Valentine's Day, after all!

xoxo,

Elizabeth

P.S.

Did you think I was going to let myself off so easy?  I promised design solutions, and by george, I will deliver!

Here are three fun wood-paper-hardware combinations for your Craig's List projects:

Natural Wonders

Paint isn't the only way to add color to wood.  Stains can be tinted to any color of your choice, and Minwax has a great variety premixed (ask for assistance in the paint section of your home improvement store- they can guide you to the right blend for your wood species and give you tips for application).  This thin lavender-hued stain is so soft it's almost a neutral.  Pair it with a feathered paper and jeweled knobs with old-fashioned backplates: you'll have your own cabinet of curiosities.  

Modern Romance

Who doesn't love a sleek, glossy black?  Orange and black is daring- but the delicate script on this paper is as lovely as it gets.  Shiny looped pulls have a contemporary chrome finish, but their shape mimics the curves of the love letter paper.

Candy Countess

Traditional elements needn't be boring.  Thoroughly saturated mahogany is luxurious, and would look incredible under a glassy finish.  Pink and gold marbled paper mixes an old technique with a modern palette.  Last, but not least, this coral pink cabochon knob is the perfect finishing touch- like heirloom jewelry.

Duties filled, I'm clocking out!  Goodnight!

Adopted.

That's right, it was looking so pathetic, I couldn't resist it.  

After all, the "plaques" on the top drawer are exactly the same shape as those on my vanity desk, but the shape of the dresser is much more simple.  It should be a good bridge between the scrolling frou-frou nonsense that is my vanity and the more angular lines of my Ikea Hemnes canopy bed (soon to be painted a soft gray, I might add).  Plus, it's the perfect size to act as both a dresser and bedside table- it's tall enough that I won't knock things off the top of it in my sleep (because apparently I have really active dreams).  To sum up: it fits right in.  I'd say this $30 purchase is wholly justified.  So there.

Anyway, I'm thrilled with it.  The wood is in pretty good condition, and it's quite structurally sound.  The knobs and pulls are utterly adorable, with little details and vintage patina.  I'm not positive that I'll keep them on the dresser, but if not they'll certainly be used elsewhere in the house.  Also, the legs weren't shown on the CL post- and they may be the best part!

So, now the fun part.  How can I dress up this dresser?

Bewitching Black.

I want this dresser to maintain it's antique-y character, but it will need to coordinate with my other furnishings.  Rather than ruin the wood to match my beachy grays, I'm going to ebonize with a black stain and then emphasize the grain with black patinating wax and a bit of liming wax.  I'll be lining the plaques and some other carved details with glossy black paint to give it a little more kick. 

I'd love to take a little inspiration from the always inspirational Knack and add some paper to the plaques.  But what paper?  I did a lot of searching today, but the perfect paper eludes me.  I'm looking for something subtle, but with a little color.  Maybe a vintage floral with a bit of gray?  

Anyone out there have an excellent source for decorative papers?  

No hurry though, as any plans I have must wait until the weather clears up a bit here (snow in April?  A-wha????).  But for now, I'd say the dresser has settled in pretty nicely... I'll post a picture tomorrow (gotta get my beauty sleep on now!).