ArtbyRoxanne & Decor Blog

Tricking Out Your Jewelry Space

Roxanne — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:51:53 +0000

Metal baking cooling racks attached to a wall with hooks, becomes an organized place to hang earrings and necklaces.
A another alternative for jewelry is a large framed cork board, use colored push pins in sections to organize rings, long necklaces, short necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Hang the cork board in your closet, this allows you to coordinate your outfit and jewelry at a glance. Attach a mirror to the back of your closet door using heavy duty double sided tape, to double check your outfit. If the door is folding, simply remove the frame from a everyday full length mirror to allow the door to open freely. A small magnifying mirror attached to the full length mirror is great for putting on pierced earrings. A tube a lipstick or gloss and a hair brush located nearby allows for quick touch-ups, without ever leaving your closet. This will save precious time to your morning routine.

Looking to Add Character To Your Home

Roxanne — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:51:26 +0000

Flea market and thrift stores finds are an excellent way to add character to your home.

A chest of drawers can become a distinctive kitchen island with extra storage. Paint the chest a coordinating color, change the hardware, include locking casters found at a hardware store.

Is a chest of drawers to large for your space, look for a console table, older wooden filing cabinet or a personal favorite a repurposed potting table, matching baskets add storage under the table. Remember the height of a kitchen island should be about 36 inches.

Ceramics create a unique place to store cooking utensils. Terra cotta wine coolers can be found for under $10.00 and make a delightful earthy addition to your kitchen and can double up as a vase for large scale flowers; maybe sunflowers.

Quick Tip: Add a large butcher block cutting board to the top of your new island, protecting the top.

Stay tuned… continuing to love your space.

The Moment the Front Door Opens

Roxanne — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:47:26 +0000

“Your home should rise to greet you” What does mean to me, it is that secret little smile when entering a room.

Three senses come into play when walking in the door.

Visual – The color pallet, when choosing a color pallet look at the colors you love to wear. Those colors will create a sense of a comfortable home.

Touch – You should find yourself rubbing your hands along furniture in your space, a pleasant touch will encourage you to curl up and stay awhile. Fabrics you love to wear will help you determine your upholstery.

Scent – Diffusers of essentials oils are an elegant way to add a subtle welcoming aroma to your space.

Stay tuned… continuing to love your space.

Vintage Sewing Machine Table

Roxanne — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:36:41 +0000

I sat pondering a vintage sewing machine table… it was obvious the table had seen better days. Made of solid wood, a flip top, to double the size and a small drawer in front the table had good bones, “What could it be used for”? I sat rubbing my hand along the top when approached by a lovely lady who proceeded to tell me a story.

She had come into the store that day to see if anyone had bought her old sewing table.

Her fiancé bought her the sewing machine in 1949, so she could sew her wedding dress. She used the machine for years, finally the old machine gave up the ghost and the table sat in the garage, a dropping of point for paint tins, tools and the odd beverage. Laughing she thought the table overpriced, because, after all, there was no sewing machine and what could that old table be used for!
Listening to the sewing cabinet’s wonderful history, I knew its purpose. Thanking her for the story, I bought the table.

Anxious to give this vintage sewing table new purpose, I started working immediately. Using Howard’s Restor-a-Finish and 000 extra fine Bulldog steel wool, I began gently rubbing with the grain, removing stains, paint rings & water marks. Using a soft cloth, I then used Howard’s Restor-a-Shine, after a couple of hours the vintage table took on new life.

Where the machine had folded into the table was a tray, removing the layers of dust and oil from the old sewing machine, I placed a 12 inch black plastic basket, the kind purchased at the dollar store, it became a new home for cords, manuals and accessories.

I placed my restored vintage sewing table in a nook, to add visual interest I paired it with a vintage table lamp and an old wood folding chair to complete the new laptop desk in the family room.

Quick Tip: Placing a lamp and chair at a small table in unused corners of a room can become an ideal place to write a thank-you card, a practical lap top desk, or a crafting table; creating a new dimension to any room.

Stay tuned… continuing to love your space.

Roxanne Griese is an Artist; Decorating and organizing are her passions, to see more articles and artwork visit www.artbyroxanne.ca

Ye Old Staple Gun

Roxanne — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:26:14 +0000

For years, I have been changing the upholstery on my furniture, and through those years, by my side has been my trusty staple gun! I believe it maybe as old as me…. I can not even remember when or where I purchased it; hmmm did I even buy it. I may have shopped my dads work bench! Oops sorry dad.

Well this article is all about lessons on taking trusty tools for granted. I’ve found a vintage step stool I had been searching thrift stores for months, excited to have finally found my treasure I began to prepare for the new look! Everything was in place staple gun, scissors, finishing hammer, staples for gun oops.

Now let me explain I like my “borrowed” manual staple gun it fits my hand, its easy to use and does not need burgeoning biceps. Over the years, my husband has bought me new staple guns.

The electric ones… Nearly having to do a standing push-up on the top end of gun for the staple to go firmly in the wood, then if your lucky the recoil will not hurt your shoulder to bad.

Then there was the heavy duty staple gun, this was a riot I did give it a try once! I need two hands just to hold it, then stretch my fingers reach the handle, lets face it heavy duty staple guns are not on the market for small hands.

So I go back to my faithful old staple gun without staples. No problem right! Off to the hardware store I bought staples (in bulk) I’m not running out of staples for years. Home at last, staples in hand…. Oh no they do not fit! Back to the hardware store; honestly how hard could it be to find staples? Two store clerks and a service manager later, they finally found staples that fit! The manager asking permission wrote in permanent maker on the gun the staples model number! To their credit they did not try to sell me a new staple gun, although I did buy enough staples to last years, not one of three employees had ever heard of my now cleaned and oiled trusty staple gun.

Stay tuned… Hopefully you can use some ideas, continuing to love your space.

Roxanne Griese is an Artist; Design and organizing are her passions, to view more articles and artwork visit www.artbyroxanne.ca

Change is Good

Roxanne — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:41:04 +0000

Change is good it keeps us fresh and far from boring.
Art comes in many forms whether it is an artfully made latte from Spillibeans.
A wonderfully landscaped garden, or a home that reflects your personality in design.
It has been no secret, that some of my passions include repurposing, decorating and organizing. My husband often comments there are daily changes in the house.
My mantra is – Change is Good!
In addition to blogging about painting and drawing, I will be writing about repurposing, decorating and organizing.
I believe that no matter where you are in life, you should live in your space beautifully, if are like me and it becomes a passion, learning to pursue your passion on a budget.

Stay tuned… Continuing to live life beautifully.

Roxanne

Quality on a Dime

Roxanne — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:40:15 +0000

I love thrifting! There I said it… It’s out in the open.
It all started with my niece’s new found passion for Tupperware, a couple of parties later and all the conversation of the old Tupperware some us still had in our cupboards… Led me to thrift stores looking for a sackful of tupperware treasures to give my niece as a fun gift. After a run in the dishwasher, I wrapped it piece separately. It was a good laugh and a great gift idea.

Stay tuned… Hopefully you can use some ideas, continuing to live in your space beautifully.

Roxanne

Welcome to my new and improved Blog

Roxanne — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:19:00 +0000

My intention is to elevate everyday life, share design, repurposing and decorating ideas, keep it fun and affordable.
I’ve been asked numerous times to share my project ideas. My problem is where to start… So I’ll just pick one!
Crystal… I love drinking out of a crystal glass, milk, juice, soda you name it. I’m not talking about stemware, but an everyday drinking glass. You can find crystal glasses at almost any department store.
The cost is a little higher, remember when crystal was only used on special occasions… Why can’t everday be special. Having earlier mentioned the cost, here is what I love to do – thrift stores have all kinds of kitchen ware, I like to buy my crystal glasses in pairs. I now have an eclectic collection of crystal everyday glasses found at thrift stores, at a fraction of the cost.
Finding cyrstal glasses at thrift stores takes a little knowledge, cut crystal is the easiest spot. Do what I call the flick test! Flick the top rim of the glass it should ring with a destinct echoing musical tone, a glass will have a thud sound.

Elevate your everyday life, by drinking out of crystal.

Stay tuned weekly!

Roxanne

Contest Winner

Roxanne — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:19:24 +0000

Well it was a difficult choice, I finally chose a winner.

A big shout out to everyone who entered the contest, I enjoyed your shared pictures of your 4 legged best freinds. The Winner is… drum roll please… “Chance” a Golden Retriever.

Stay tuned for the final Portrait.

Staying in touch.

Roxanne

Enter to Win

Roxanne — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:49:00 +0000

Contest Closed

Thank-you, to those who sent in a picture of your four legged best friend.

The Lucky Winner is

“Chance”

He’s a golden retriever doing what his breed is meant to do, retrieving a duck.

The winner of a free colored pencil pet portrait.