Homeless Housewares: adopt a dresser!

Oh yeah, we have a theme going today. I've been super inspired by several dresser makeovers I've seen lately, so I'm jumping in on the fun.

1. White Dresser - $20

I think I've mentioned the card catalogue look before, but no dresser themed Homeless Housewares would be complete without it. Also, I recently ran across an amazing resource for card catalogue hardware: Schoolhouse Eclectic. $20 for the dresser and $32+ for the hardware, add a little paint? You've got a fabulous card catalogue inspired dresser for about $80! 

(Photo from Oh Joy)

2. 1950's Antique Dresser - $180
This is a good example of a craigslist find you should go for if you're in love with it or already have the supplies to DIY it up on hand. $180 is a totally totally fair price for this piece, but if you start adding the cost of new hardware or paint you'll be looking at a much steeper final price tag. Always remember to estimate the final cost of a c-list DIY before you drive out to make the purchase.

3. Solid Oak End Table - $60
I love this little guy because I think it's the homeliest looking of the group. What if.... you gave him a coat of paint, changed up the hardware, and... painted a portrait silhouette on that little oval! How fun and unique! I have to be honest, it's over priced for the work you would have to put in, but keep an eye on it the price might come down :)
(Photo from Portfolio of my Knowledge)

4. 5 Drawer Dresser - $15
And finally, a totally blank slate. Bam $15. It's saying "do whatever you want, I'm game for an adventure." If you're looking for a project this is the price you're looking for. Just make sure the piece you grab is a) the right dimensions for your room and b) made of solid wood.

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For those of you new to Homeless Housewares: I don't sell these things -  I just think they're great buys with a lot of potential. Hopefully you're inspired to search your local craigslistings, OR to find these pieces, search the San Diego craigslist furniture listings using the titles above. Maybe you can snatch these up before someone else does!

Stone Pug Poll Results!

The jury is in on my Awful or Awesome poll post about this stone pug. By one vote the consensus is...

52% Awful!

48% Awesome!

There you have it, you should not buy this pug (unless you were one of the people who voted awesome... I won't tell anyone...)

Did you forget to vote?!  Leave a comment if you agree or disagree with the results!  Voting is fun, but comment "voting" is fun too - promise :)

Arcadian Lighting Guest Post: Tufted Pieces You'll Love

First, and this may be strange, but I need to point out that today is 11-11-11. It is a super cool day because there are 6 number ones! Six! Plus it's my birthday :)

Now, on to more important things.

I am a major fan of tufting. Major. When I got an email from the bloggers at Arcadian Lighting asking if they could write up a post with tufting inspiration, I was really excited to see what they would come up with. Well, it's beautiful tufting eye candy - love!

Take it away Susi!!

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Hi, I'm Susi, a writer for the Arcadian Lighting blog, which features light fixtures and lighting trends. I'm so happy to be a guest blogger here at insideways today; it's such a great blog! My guest post is all about tufted pieces of furniture that I'm sure you'll love. Hope you enjoy my guest post. Thanks for letting me stop by!

Button tufting adds so much texture and pattern to even simple linens. I love this tufted ottoman with curving French cabriolet legs. This piece would be lovely in a modern, eclectic or traditional living room.

I love the tufting on this more modern ottoman. Tufting is a traditional design element that can work for every style, including contemporary. The crystal chandelier fits perfectly with the ottoman!

Tufting on the arms of this settee complements the curving, formal lines of the piece. A single tufted piece in a modern room is so chic, paired with a simple drum lamp.

Tufting on a slipper chair makes a small accent chair the star of any room. I love this yellow slipper chair with a tufted seat. And what is the perfect lighting fixture for a bath with such elegant seating? It's a lovely white chandelier, of course.

I love the tufting on this rose velvet vintage loveseat. Tufting in velvet is so glamorous and perfect for feminine vintage pieces. The unexpected little touches like the ornate framed silhouette above the loveseat and the black and white drapes keep the space from being too formal.

Lucite and tufted velvet are stylish in a Hollywood regency way. Lucite was popular in the 30s before it made a comeback in modern design, so it works perfectly with tufting.

Even a single row of tufting can add a big impact. This simple sofa has classic modern lines and the tufting adds a nice bit of extra style.

I love tufting details on an upholstered headboard. The over-sized tufted headboard and the amazing wall sconce add drama to this bedroom.

We've got a lot more great inspiration in store for you at Arcadian Lighting Blog. Come say hello and see what else we've written about!

Image Credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

DIY Fail: Wicker Edition

I have a lovely little rocker that I completely adore. Unfortunately, her age is beginning to show and the wicker on her seat is breaking. Time for some corrective surgery... (don't judge - she just wants to feel like her old self again!)

Just look at that sexy braiding and the pretty natural distressing on the paint. We must save her!

So the family got to work...

Well Tim worked... I drank coffee and provided moral support, Madeline wished she could interfere, and Maggie lounged.

Our "workspace" is limited, but we managed.

The strategy was to attach supportive planks of wood to the bottom frame with L brackets.

We (Tim) got it all together and were feeling really good. Then we tested it.

Want to know the best way to feel instantly fat? This is it, hah. Oh well, the L Brackets were a mistake (and were also my idea that Tim didn't think would work). The public announcement: TIM YOU WERE RIGHT!

Guess it's back to the drawing board. Do you know how to fix wicker weaving?

Hang and Level by Liette Tousignant

A few weeks ago I was hanging up my Scrabble Tile Art. I got through it in my own way and posted a tutorial, but mentioned that I wished I had one of these - a Hang and Level. Well someone in the internet was listening, because I got an email and package from the inventor of Hang and Level Liette Tousignant!

Liette is so super cute and nice - she even wrote me a little note!

She asked me to try out the Hang and Level and a few other really neat products and let her know what I thought. Well, I'm going to let you all know too - they're SUPER handy!

Before we get started I just want to say, I am giving my true and honest opinion here and am not being paid to advertise for Under the Roof Decorating. I just want to give you an inside look into some tools I found really helpful.

First I hung up a clock with the Hang and Level. Even though the clock had a weird hanging mechanism, the Hang and Level worked like a charm. No trying to estimate where to put the nail, it just leaves a little mark right where you should hammer in. Seriously. I honestly wish I had more to hang with the Hang and Level right now... I'm in the middle of a little picture frame DIY so I'll get the chance soon.

Next I tried the Anchor Points. These little points go on the back of your picture and anchor it to the wall so it hangs straight.

This crooked little blue picture was driving me particularly crazy.

Would. Not. Hang. Straight. So I anchored it.

Easy peasey!

Then there are my infamous Scrabble Tiles. Since they're right above the couch, Tim and I knock them crooked constantly.

30 minutes and 15 anchor points later...

No more Scrabble Tile snaggle tooth!

I am so super excited to keep trying out these goodies as more projects come up. I'm a big fan of saving yourself some time by buying the tools to get the job done right. Would Definitely Recommend!

Thanks Liette!