Decorating for Two: Heavy Metal Duet

If I were to say to my boyfriend, "I think we need more metal in our apartment" he'd probably respond by cranking up Tool on the stereo. Not exactly what I have in mind. 

As we've learned in previous experiments, sometimes Adam and I are just singing different tunes when it comes to home furnishings. His version of metal decor is heavy and industrial, like the rusty circular saw blade that he once rescued from the street and hung on our wall. As for me, I'm all about Victorian iron curlicues and delicate wire forms. 

You'd think our styles would clash...

Home of Fred & Wendy Testu in San Francisco Style

Photographed by David Duncan Livingston, Scanned by Shock the Bourgeois

But then again, there's something dull and matchy-matchy about harmony, isn't there? This bedroom is a fugue of masculine and feminine notes, riffs on a theme of patinated metal. It's just discordant enough to keep things lively- and isn't that what every couple wants?

Good Clean Design

In the process of redecorating my bathroom I pored over my image files for inspiration- and I was amazed at the consistency of my taste! What do these images have in common?

Solid furniture and patinated metals...

Pristine white fixtures and bit of whimsy...

(Image by Domino Magazine)

Soft neutrals and a vintage apothecary vibe.

(Image by House Beautiful)

Yes, I'd have to win the lottery to make any of this happen (you know, to buy a house with a bathroom bigger than broom closet). But if I do, and I'm simply drowning in money... I'm still turning to Craig's List for the goods!

I'd combine a rusty relic...

Victorian wrought iron fencing (Craig's List, Full Set for $225.00)

With an elegant chest...

Distressed black French Country dresser (Craig's List, $350.00)

To create a totally original bathroom vanity!

The fencing would be perfect for hanging a simple beveled mirror, hand towel, decor, & jewelry.

The dresser can be modified to accommodate for plumbing- without sacrificing the six outer drawers.

It's easy to find accessories...

I'd take a quirky Santa Barbara lavatory faucet (California Faucets), a floor of classic white hex tile (Craig's List, $7.00 per square foot) with dark grout, and the sleek hanging fixture I've been sighing over at Harold's.

I highly recommend Pottery Barn's organic hand towels ($9.99, shown in "Soft Lilac"), I love the old-school pharmacy look of their classic glass bath accessories (Pottery Barn, $7.99 - $19.00), and I wouldn't mind saving some cash on a Hollviken vessel sink (Ikea, $90.00).

The result? Old-fashioned aesthetic with the convenience of modern plumbing- a timeless combination. Timeless, as in: when I'm filthy rich, I can bubble-bath in here for hours.

My Shockingly Domestic Life

Last night Adam and I took advantage of a warm evening and walked down the street to the Wallingford Farmer's Market. I find browsing the market incredibly satisfying, even when my pockets are empty and my refrigerator is already full (though that's a rare occurrence).

It's not about being a consumer. I really dislike the chore of grocery shopping: the chilly ammonia-scented air, maneuvering a wonky-wheeled cart through a maze of aisles, the necessary (and discouraging) price tag mathematics. When every brightly colored package is shouting its merits and every fruit is hot-house grown in the dead of winter, I am strangely compelled to buy really awful food!

There's something refreshingly honest about a local market- after all, they can only sell what is ripe and good! This week, the first of the strawberries and the last of the peonies. In a few weeks, heirloom tomatoes in wild colors... in a few months, bundles of enormous dahlias.

It's a treat for the senses- brushing dirt off of Washington potatoes, the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting in the open air, the anticipation of tasting the raspberries and Camembert you're bringing home... 

 

Plus, everything just LOOKS gorgeous.

So sorry to wax poetic, my patient readers- but I encourage you to seek out a farmer's market near you and see for yourself.  It's such a lovely way to connect with the subtle shift of seasons AND actually make eye contact (or conversation!) with members of your community.  With that, on to the decor segment of this post!

While Adam was busy cooking up the goat cheese & bell pepper ravioli he selected at the market, I set to work arranging my purchase- a massive bouquet of flowers (for only $5!).  I had so many that I was able to fill two vases.

One for my "office," where I spend so many hours blogging away...

I recommend placing flowers where you'll enjoy them most.

My desk, complete with ubiquitous (but beloved) iMac, red schtapler, and Design Bible.

I try to keep things lively with fun finds, like the glass flower frog for pens & pencils, or my collection of vintage frames (the largest of which is plastic, a road-side find that has been drastically improved with spray paint!)

A spray of indigo and white was saved for my dresser...

This arrangement made me a little nostalgic- I had a blue and white bedroom throughout my childhood.  

 

So I was inspired to make the bed up with a crisp set of sheets, and my favorite summer quilt (Matilda approved).

I searched out blue and gold items, and I'm rather enamored with the array. Do you like the change?

My apartment feels so bright and summery- even Tildy-Cat is stopping to smell the flowers!

Remember, I'm looking to wake up my wardrobe as well... and I need your help!

Match Made in... Sweden

Craig's List and I have a very healthy relationship, but I've got to come clean.  I've got a little thing on the side... with Ikea.

When I was tired of sleeping on a floored mattress, Ikea stepped up and sent me the Hemnes canopy bed.  When my life was a mess, Ikea picked up the pieces and neatly stashed them in a Helmer drawer unit.  Ikea, you've been there for me and my wallet.  

That being said, I think it's a little weird to get exclusive with Ikea.  Ikea has been around.  Everybody has Ikea.

So I've set some boundaries to avoid the cheap furniture catalogue look.  I try to avoid large or especially recognizable pieces, like the ubiquitous Expedit bookshelf or Lack side table.  When I do cheat and bring home a popular piece (a-hem, a-Hemnes...), I usually have a major Pretty Woman-esque make-over planned.  

It's a rarity for me to peruse the Ikea catalogue and see perfection instead of potential.  But here it is.  

Perfection = The Ikea Edland Series

Edland Dresser, Chest, and Dressing Table

The Edland Linen Cabinet

How do I love these?  Let me count the ways.  The slim, curving legs!  The smoky gray finish!  The beveled drawer fronts and mouldings!  The contrasting drop pulls!  The flat packages that will fit in my Ford Taurus!

And the best of the bunch?  The Edland Wardrobe.

Oh Edland!  We have so much in common- our love of French Provincial style, our obsession with keeping clothing neatly organized!  If you are anywhere near as handsome in person as you are online... I'd be a fool to not pledge $399 and my eternal love.

Lookin' Good

Here's a peek at the new dresser.  I can't wait to get out my brushes and get to work!

It's a perfect fit!

How's this for bedside manner: golden glow and ranunculus from the market.

Remember how I said this was supposed to be a productive weekend?  Well... that was before the sun came out.  70º weather!  After it snowed last week!  Forgive me, loyal readers (okay, reader)- I had to break out a sundress and hit the streets with the rest of the Seattle Pale Force.  Check back tomorrow for a photo essay!

Also, this week is SPRING CLEANING WEEK.  Every day I'll show you how I'm making this dreaded task a breeze- and maybe making a few dollars in the process.

In the meantime, I'm following Tildy-cat's example:

G'night!

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!).

Dresser in Distress

Introducing today's Wednesday fixer...

This Dim & Diminutive Dresser

Too bad I'm not into Shabby Chic.

This dresser is an excellent candidate for refinishing.  It's sturdy and there are no obvious scratches or gouges on the surface.  It's very petite (30" x 40" x 16"), and there aren't any tricky mouldings- so it isn't a time-consuming project (even for a beginner).  Best of all?  It's only $30, so you can afford to experiment.

At least everything appears to be in working order, right?

Admittedly, it's not looking so hot at the moment.  But don't we see a glimmer of it's former charm?  No?

Check back tomorrow- let's see if I can change your mind.