I thought we used to have a thread for home improvements and decorating, but I can't find it now. I've been nesting hardcore lately, though, so I thought I'd better start one. I want to get a little supply cabinet for our home office. I saw a really cool one on CB2, but no way am I going to pay $400 for this: So instead I'm going to pick up one of these little beauties for $35 at Target: I like the espresso color better anyway, and it matches the rest of the furniture in there. I'm going to attach some brushed aluminum legs from IKEA to give it a similar look to the CB2 one. I figure I'll just paint the doors before I assemble the cabinet, and then maybe swap out the pulls with something I like better if the pre-drilled holes on this piece are a standard size. I'm not sure the best way to paint these cheap MDF and laminate doors, though. Tape it off, use primer spray paint, then use acrylic in whatever colors I like for the stripes? Also, which colors to use? I was thinking metallic gold for the top and bottom stripes, then really bright colors in between. Orange, yellow and pink, maybe?
I hope Lucy shows up on this thread. I am getting all of my house styling ideas from you and her. You're like the Wonder Twins of DIY. I also want her to teach me to knit.
I prefer brushing too! And it dries fairly quick. We are almost home, I can't wait to show pics of my latest project.
Y'all are so crafty, I thought I was being a grown-up when B and I bought plates in Chinatown over the weekend.
I love zinsser! You could get samples of latex paint for the stripes, but I would paint the stripes after you assemble. It would suck if the screw holes weren't level after you put it together.
Good point. You never can tell with stuff like this. Having the doors off-square or not level would be enough to make me return it anyway, so I probably shouldn't paint until I at least measure to make sure the pilot holes are matching.
I love the first one! But the 2nd is good too. I said "sup" to someone after a professor split us into groups in one of my classes. I knew it was dorky and that's half why I said it, but the person didn't seem amused. Fail.
I vote for "sup?". Bring sup back. So we are looking to get an ottoman that has storage in it for blankets, games, etc. Trying to decide what to go with. That's where it will go. I'm pretty much keeping with blues, greens and brown for the colors in that room. I think a brown ottoman would be too much brown. Any opinions? We found this one at Pier 1. It's a little pricey but I do have a $25 GC that I randomly found underneath the seat in my car (I know, awesome), so that helps. I think the color is just a bit too dark though and it's maybe too square for how long the couch is? It also comes in green, but I don't think it's the right green either. It's pretty large in person. http://www.pier1.com/Chelsea-Storage-Ot ... op&start=1 Target has a couple of cute printed fabric options, but Patrick insists that we need something better quality. Even though I think the furniture there is sometimes decent depending on what you get (The threshhold brand rather than the RE brand college stuff). The ones they have are mostly smaller and would have to get 2 of them probably since they are smaller squares. http://www.target.com/p/threshold-singl ... large_2_26 I don't even know where else to look. We went to rooms to go and didn't see any options.
Check Ashley Furniture. They have tons of those, and they're relatively cheap. Plus you can haggle prices there. I don't think brown would be too much, though. I picture a slightly darker brown leather going well in there.
I like the idea of leather/faux leather because the texture will complement your sofa. Target furniture is fine as long as it isn't the dorm room stuff. Do you guys have Costco out there? They have a ton of furniture too for decent prices.
In my experience, when a sales rep at Ashley Furniture tells you the price of a piece, just look at them like they're fucking crazy, and they'll spit out a lower price before you even open your mouth.
I do like the blue leather, though. Something a little different. And if it's too big, you can always drop a piece of glass on top and use it as a coffee table as well.
I like the idea of pulling some of the colors from the carpet. Maybe a tan or brown fabric but recover the lid to a brighter fabric that coordinates with the rug. If you get tired of it or decide to redecorate at some point you aren't loving the brighter fabric you can switch it out.
Costco had one last time we were there that looked nice, unless I'm remembering wrong. We have one from Target and its... fine. Eta - I think brown "leather" would look good but not perfectly matchy.
Sounds like consensus is that a dark brown leather would be fine. Although, I do love the blue too, just hoping it's not too dark. The blue in the rug is more of a lighter aqua type blue. I definitely don't want it to be matchy matchy though, so maybe it would coordinate just fine being darker. Ah good idea. We were thinking if it is flat enough it could serve dual purpose as a coffee table sometimes, but I didn't think of just putting glass or something like that on top. I hadn't thought about Costco. We don't have a membership, but maybe worth it if they have something we like at decent price.
If you have a Costco, go and say you're just buying liquor. You could actually buy some without a membership. Then if you find one thing you like just have a friend take you to buy it.
That depends on liquor laws in your state. Some Costcos have an independent liquor store attached so that you don't go in to the main store to buy it. Others don't sell it at all. And I'm not sure the prohibition-era laws that say you can't charge a membership fee to sell liquor apply everywhere either, unless Costco has just made that a company-wide policy. Anyway, if the liquor thing doesn't work, you can just say you want to come in to get a membership, and then break out and head to housewares.