My sister, Brianna, has been living away for close to two years now! She first lived in Georgia for a year and now is in Connecticut. Her husband’s job has them on the move for a couple of years. We are a very close knit family so her living away is definitely tough. Especially when she has such cute nieces and nephews. Thanks to modern technology there is a lot of Face Time and keeping in touch.
I have been pestering my sister for some time to send me photos of her place so I can share them all with you. I have been dying to get my hands on photos, because this girl is all about the DIY. She hasn’t even been married a year, they haven’t even lived in their apartment for a year and she has already made it a home. Brianna and her husband built furniture the good old fashioned way- hand saw and hammer.
This is one shot of her living room. The TV console was a rummage sale find. It was actually a cherry dresser and they gave it this awesome finish to make it look like gray, weathered wood. The center drawer was removed to hold the cable box. The chairs flanking each side were old hand-me down chairs she painted and recovered. The mirror is actually surrounded by clothespins! The bar stools in the background got a fresh coat of paint too.
I love her mantle! It is so her. The framed print is actually a gift from me! It is an Irish Marriage Blessing with their wedding date. Any guesses one what there last name starts with? The D is a giant cardboard letter she found at Joann Fabrics. Our Joann’s doesn’t carry them (boohoo), but you can order them online. She just painted it for a pop of color. The chevron print is a Goodwill find. She taped off a chevron pattern right over the existing print and then painted it white. Remove tape and voila! The little sis was actually an art major in college and that canvas painting is all her. Don’t you just love those colors?
She shot this photo from her loft. She has a gallery wall just full of meaningful things. Most of the frames are second-hand finds that got a coat of white paint for a fresh look. The couch is their one and only splurge. A giant, comfy number from Crate & Barrel. Tucked behind the couch is a console table that she and the hubs made. It is actually two tables put together. Let me give you a better view.
They are a talented little duo aren’t they? I really wanted to give you a closer view of the gallery wall too.
The “<3 life” is painted on burlap. Simple and cheap. There are quite a few frames filled with scrapbook paper to add color and pattern. Brianna found the LUCKY Bingo card at some sort of craft fair. She put a heart around the 17 since they were married March 17. Fitting, right?
The mirror was actually a second-hand find and it was a clock! She just gave it a coat of paint and popped out the clock and popped in a mirror. The moose print she ordered from an Etsy shop, but I don’t have the details.
Yes, her husband went sky diving. I prefer my feet on the ground ;). Once again, more paint and burlap (LOVE).
Nothing about this says apartment living to me. Right? Oh, perhaps my most favorite project is sneaking into the picture on the left.
Would you ever believe that those were two ordinary, hand-me down benches? You know, those farm style benches you see all the time with the white legs and the butcher block tops. They basically built a base, cut down the legs, attached them and gave them an awesome dose of yellow and voila: console table. I just love it. You gotta remember folks that they don’t have a garage or a work space or access to power tools. Just creativity and elbow grease.
When it comes to their kitchen, I have got to say: apartment life has them pretty spoiled. I don’t even have a tile back splash, fancy counter tops and stainless steel appliances.
Fancy, huh? I hope sharing my sister’s home and super creative ideas has inspired you.
What is your favorite part?
And while you are here, I wanted to let you know that I have been nominated for a blogging award over at Circle of Moms- “Top 25 Creative Moms”. If you like what you find here at Balancing Home, have been inspired, connected or enjoyed a free printable here or there I would really appreciate it if you took a moment and clicked on over to vote. No registration is necessary. You can vote daily until Jan. 30. Thanks in advance.
Sharing this project at: Thrifty Decor Chick-Before and After Party
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