Making it Lovely

Category: Filing Cabinet

  • An Easter Table With a Neon Twist

    An Easter Table With a Neon Twist

    Today’s post is by a new contributor to Making it Lovely, Andrea Howe. I met and roomed with her at Camp Mighty last year, and I know you’re going to adore her as much as I do.

    Yesterday, we saw my take on an Easter table. Andrea has been celebrating neon for the past week over on her style blog, For the Love of…, and today she’s sharing some crafty ideas for bringing a little neon to the table for the holiday.

    I’ve loved neon for as long as I can remember, and am thrilled to see it make a resurgence, in a very updated and modern way. While neon may be most used in the style world, I wanted to add a touch of it to the home, and so created an Easter table setting infused with subtle touches of neon.  I like neon best in small doses and when displayed back to neutrals, so set against the rich wood of a farmhouse dining table the bright colors pop, yet the overall feel isn’t overpowering.

    I began by focusing on using things I already owned as key parts of the table setting. These include pieces from my milk glass collection that belonged to my Grandmother, a couple of plain white Easter bunnies, simple white napkins and placemats, and my never-ending supply of mason jars.

    I began by spray painting mason jars first in a coat of primer, then with a couple of coats of neon and plain white spray paint. I wrapped some neon and white twine around each jar, held in place with a spot of hot glue. I also added a coat of spray paint to some adorable little ceramic bunnies I had found at Michael’s. The ceramic absorbed the spray paint beautifully.

    I took fabric paint and plain white napkins, and simply added polka dots in a random pattern using a round sponge brush available at any craft store. The trick to working with neon is to just focus on 2-3 colors at a time. Anymore and it starts to look a bit dated.

    The last thing I did was add a few eggs, first brushed with neon paint. Once dry, the eggs were coated with standard craft glue, then dusted with Martha Stewart neon glitter. Placed in a hobnop candy dish, for me it’s the perfect blend of vintage modern.

    By using a mix of pieces I already own and love, and creating some easy and inexpensive DIY’s, I’m thrilled with the results of my modern neon table setting for Easter.

  • Making Everyday Mornings Feel Special

    Making Everyday Mornings Feel Special

    Thank you COOL WHIP for sponsoring this post.

    Join us on Facebook for inspiration and recipes for everyday treats. What you add makes it.
    #coolwhipmoms

    We mix greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries pretty often here for a simple breakfast. Normally I just spoon a little yogurt in a bowl, throw the berries in, add a spoon, and call it done. Sometimes it’s nice to put some extra thought into a routine meal though, and sitting down to breakfast at a cute table setting made the day feel a little more special. You could switch out the yogurt for whipped topping and make this a dessert too.

    Here’s how I put it all together for Eleanor, smiley face included…

    We like to use a tray for her place setting because it’s easy to wipe down and it catches crumbs, but a placemat would be a good way to bring in some pattern too (and still protect the table). I used a scalloped bowl for the yogurt and a heart-shaped dish for the strawberries, along with a tumbler as a vase. A cloth napkin feels more special than a disposable one, and the glittery teaspoon on top is extra cute. I had all of these things on hand and most of them aren’t available anymore, but I put together some alternatives below.

    1. Kelby Placemat

    2. Porcelain Heart Dish

    3. Opal Glass Vase

    4. Pink Dots Party Glass

    5. Mix and Match Polka Dot Silverware

    6. Skyn Bowl

    7. Pink and White Two-Tone Napkins

    8. Krazy Straws

    Of course, the setting would work just as well for an adult as it would for a kid. I’ll let you decide whether you want to omit the Krazy Straw or not. And flowers help too, even if they’re just carnations. Eleanor sat down and exclaimed “Flowers, wow!”

    Do you ever play around with table settings too, or do you tend to wait for special occasions?

    Sponsored posts are purely editorial content that I am pleased to have presented by a participating sponsor. Advertisers do not produce the content.

  • Statement Lighting

    Statement Lighting

    Here we have the stuff of dreams. Numbers two and three may be within reach, and for the impact they have they’re worth it, but they’ll likely require saving up a bit.

    1. Superordinate Antler Chandelier, $5900

    2. Patrick Townsend Orbit Chandelier, $600

    3. High-Minded Chandelier, $998

    4. Artichoke Frosted Glass Pendant, $66,000
      (The plain white versions are a bargain at $7,000-$14,000.)

  • Flushmount Lighting Fixtures

    Flushmount Lighting Fixtures

    This is my least favorite category of ceiling lighting, but often in our homes, flushmounts are the only option that will work. They’re useful when dealing with low ceilings, or for when you want something that doesn’t call too much attention to itself (but still looks good).

    I’ve used the second light here at the top of the stairs leading to the second floor, and I’ve used the third light in my office and in Eleanor’s room. We have a light similar to number six outside the front door, and similar to number five in August’s room.

    Considering that these are my least favorite types of lights, I sure have used them a lot. They’re useful, indeed.

    1. Julian Flushmount, $199

    2. Chase Ceiling Mount, $179

    3. Jonathan Adler Ceiling Light, $239

    4. Alabax, $135

    5. Jefferson, $140

    6. Gothic Lantern Flushmount, $249

  • Toy Train Table

    Toy Train Table

    The toy train table in Eleanor’s room is one of the most frequently used spots in our home. It’s big enough for both kids to play with at the same time, usually without too much conflict. It looks good in the room, in that classic toy way. It’s fun for the kids, and it’s fun for me. Seriously — I love rearranging the train tracks. It’s so satisfying when a good layout comes together.

    I’m telling you. It’s highly likely that I will someday become an obsessed scale model-making enthusiast.

    I wrote about the best additions to a train table layout today over on Babble. Give it a look if you’re in need of some ideas. You know, for the children.

  • Drop Pendant Lighting

    Drop Pendant Lighting

    Drop pendants are fantastic in a kitchen, lined up along a counter or over the sink. They can work in the right dining room too, in multiples, or flanking a bed over nightstands.

    1. Drop 2 Pendant, $275

    2. Noir Pendant Lamp, $248

    3. Glass Jug Pendant, $498

    4. Capri Bottle Pendant, $195

    5. Mega Bulb Pendant Light, $285

    6. Globe Pendant, $99

    7. Golden Sap Pendant, $248