How I Use Photoshop to Visualize Before Buying

For the past week or so I've been looking for hardware for the fabric covered Rast dresser. It's a little trickier because of the pattern. The knob/pull needs to be simple so it doesn't compete with the fabric, but it still needs to stand out so it doesn't get lost in the fabric.

So today I thought I would share how I work through design decisions when sourcing products through the internet. ** this isn't a tutorial; however, if that interests you, let me know in the comment section :)

I take a photo and then use Photoshop to combine the two photos so I can see almost exactly what it will look like.

Below are a few options, some work, some don't ...

I love the shape of this knob, but I think the contrasting blue is too much against the pattern ... 

Again, like the shape, but this one I'd have to see in person since the colors are so similar ...

hmm ... not so much, a little too solid, maybe if it was smaller (size is approximation based on measurements give on website)

DIY Ring Pulls? So far this is my favorite ... I use them a lot, but they work well in SO many places.

Maybe in silver?


We also spent a large part of the weekend cleaning out closets and organizing (aka looking for the extra small white knobs we used on the credenza with no luck). I think those might look good too ...

So I'm still deciding, but in the meantime I thought you might enjoy seeing how I visualize things.

I know everyone doesn't have Photoshop, but if you're interested in a tutorial, let me know and I'll try to find a free program online that is similar :)

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DIY Striped Painted Rug in about 2.5 Hours!

After the time intensive driftwood herringbone table, we were definitely ready for a quick and easy project! Painting stripes is probably one of the easiest projects to tackle. Laying out the tape takes about an hour, and painting (depending on amount of coverage you want) takes about 1.5 hours (a little more for drying time in between coats) Definitely achievable as a day or less than a day project!

He's how we did it! 

We decided to give the rug a little extra interest by offsetting the stripes, similar to this rug from Ikea. It only took a little extra effort and probably made it a little easier to keep the tape straight. Definitely worth it! 

We divided the rug into thirds, starting in one corner we laid a piece of 3m edge seal 2" tape (a little over a third of the rug so there would be overlap). We repeated, using little pieces of the 2" tape to set the offset between stripes. 

After all of the tape was laid out, we measured the thirds again, drew a line with a pencil, and cut the tape down the pencil line. At first we used scissors, but then moved to lightly cutting it (not through to the rug) with and xacto knife. It moved faster since we didn't have to lift the tape up and reattach it. 

I then walked around on the tape to make sure that it was secured to the rug... Annabelle thought I was crazy ... I put paint tarps around the edges to protect the carpet (always a must!) Then I mixed up a custom gray with flat paint that I had laying around the house and started rolling it on! I did three light coats (letting it dry in between) until there was even coverage. 

The only thing that I would of done differently was carry it down to the garage. As you can see from the first picture, we did it in the office area and it was very cramped! It took some interesting maneuvers get around the wet paint. Rolling on an even surface (instead of the carpet underneath) would of been easier too. 

I took the tape off and that was it! This was such an easy and fast way to get a large graphic pattern.

I picked up an acrylic picture frame to use as a tray, idea thanks to Just a Girl! I love that you can see the herringbone pattern through the tray!

The living room is really coming together! Just a few more finishing touches!

Sources/Price breakdown:

Ikea Erslev rug: Already owned, but Ikea doesn't carry it anymore (anyone know of a good substitute?)
Painter's tape: 2" 3M Edge Seal painter's tape $8 - Wal-Mart (we used exactly one roll, I know random!!)
Paint: Custom mixed light gray from leftover Behr and Glidden flat paint - Home Depot

Total Cost: $8 (since I had everything but the tape on hand!)

If you haven't tried a striped rug yet, you MUST! It is super fast/easy and can add the perfect punch of contrast, pattern, color to a space!

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Match that BLOGGER! {a contest and $800 RYOBI Father's Day Giveaway!}

Would you like to start or add to your power tool arsenal?? If so, I have a very special giveaway for you today! I've teamed up with some fabulous bloggers to give you the chance to win $800 worth of Ryobi gift cards!! Read on to see how to enter! Thanks so much to Beth and Brooke for organizing this fantastic giveaway!

(p.s. make sure to stop back in a few hours for pictures and a tutorial for our latest diy project!)

Take it away Beth!

{UPDATE: We have a big winner for the Matching Contest part of the giveaway (but the $400 gift card random drawing is still open till Sunday)! Stephanie Richardson was the very first one to match us up like a PRO! We still encourage you to see if you can figure them all out too! Make sure to still enter for a chance to win the random $400 gift card drawing. There's so much amazing talent in this group, and you're sure to stumble upon some serious inspiration. Thanks for playing!}

Gooooood MORNING!

We’ve got a special surprise for you today… who doesn’t love a little friendly competition and GIVEAWAY?!?! (there will be a randomly drawn winner in addition to the winner of the contest, so you should enter both ways!)

The premise of this contest stems from the fact that ALL OF US are guilty of Pinning an idea without ever checking the source… guilty as charged! But there are likely pins on your boards that are from your favorite bloggers, and you don’t even KNOW it! (amiright?)
And that’s where the contest comes in:

Here’s the line-up! SUCH an amazing group of bloggers that we wrangled!!

And below are projects from each blogger that you’ve likely seen viral all over Pinterest!

Before we get to the rules, can we talk about how

RYOBI is giving away $800 worth of POWER TOOLS?

Just… in time for Father’s Day!

Perfect timing if you ask me.

$400 RYOBI Giftcard goes to our randomly selected winner, and $400 RYOBI Giftcard goes to the first person to correctly match up all 16 bloggers with the correct projects!
SO!

When you click on the Contest Form (at the bottom of this post), it will direct you to a page that will show you an image of the project, and a drop-down menu of bloggers. You just go down the line and select away! Some projects you probably know already, but some you may need to SNOOP AROUND blog-land to find!

We call this BLOG-HOPPING. And it’s highly encouraged in the blogging world.
Here’s the links to the home page of each blog (in no particular order). Now get busy!

1. Sawdust and Embryos
2. All Things Thrifty
3. Interiors by Kenz
4. Whatever Blog
5. Home Stories A to Z
6. Sarah M. Dorsey Designs
7. Twist Me Pretty
8. The Idea Room
9. DIY Village
10. Pretty Handy Girl
11. Domestic Imperfection
12. One Good Thing
13. Kara Paslay Designs
14. Nine Red
15. Vintage Revivals
16. East Coast Creative

Entry #1 (Randomly drawn) ‘Like’ us ALL on Facebook, and let us know that you did on the Rafflecopter form below!	Entry #2 (Contest!) Click below to match up each blogger with their amazing project!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

• One entry per person, per entry method.
• Winner of matching contest will be emailed, and publicly announced on Facebook.
• Winner of random-drawing giveaway will be announced on Father’s Day here on the blog, as well as Facebook.
• Be sure to hop over to RYOBI Nation and check out some amazing inspirational projects!
• Be AWESOME today (that’s a given)

This contest/giveaway is in NO WAY affiliated with Pinterest or Facebook, and we hereby release them of any liability related to this promotion, the receipt of prize winnings, etc. The giveaway prize has been generously provided by RYOBI Nation. All prizes will be mailed by the sponsor and all participating blog owners are not held responsible if the prize is not fulfilled. Giveaway starts Monday 6/10/13 at 5am est and ends at midnight on Saturday 6/15/13. Alternate entry available by sending your entry via email to wehopeyouwin@gmail.com. Winner will be announced on Sunday 6/16/13 and will need to respond within 48 hours to claim their prize, or another winner will be chosen.Winner must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen in order to win.   May the force be with you.

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Favorite Clearance Finds

One of my favorite things to do is browse the clearance section of stores. Since we're moving soon, I've basically cut off my home decor buying. So maybe I can live vicariously through you??

Here are a few of my recent clearance favorites:

1. Navy and peach polka dot pillow from Anthropologie. $39.95.
2. Metallic polka dot napkins from Anthropologie. Set of four for $4.95 (only 12x12, but still super cute! and you can't beat the price!)
3. Tassel blanket from West Elm.  $29.99, add customization for $7 additional
4. Tassel hand towel from West Elm. $7.99-$10, add customization for $7 additional
5. Small Black pendant from West Elm. $6.99. are you kidding me?? SUCH a great price!!


I'll be sharing our painted rug on Monday AND an awesome giveaway that I'm participating in!! Make sure to stop back to check out our rug and for info on entering the giveaway!!

Hope you have a GREAT weekend!!

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Why We're Moving!

Recently I've been saying that we'll be moving soon and then it hit me that I've never really explained why we're moving. So today, while I take pictures of the new painted rug for the living room yay! (and attempt to finish the fabric covered dresser) I thought I would share a little more about us.

In '07 David started working in contract management for a global construction company in Maryland while I was finishing up my Master's degree in D.C. We knew that he would have to move within a year or two (about the time that I'd be done with my program), but he ended up moving about 6 months after he started. David moved to Tennessee while I finished my degree. We were married in '09, I moved down, and we lived there until Fall '11.

Fall '11 we were ready for change, the job David was on was dragging on (originally scheduled to be completed in '10 - today, still isn't done) and both he and his management thought that it would be best for his career development to move to another job. Our options were, Miami, FL, Canada, or San Luis Obispo, CA. It didn't take us long to land on CA, after all, Oprah's site named San Luis Obispo the happiest city in America. After living here for about 1.5 years, I would definitely agree! This is by far the friendliest city that I've lived in and people do seem to be happy all the time (for the most part :)

David commutes to a solar power construction site in the high plains near the San Andres Fault. His one wish since we've been here ... to feel a big earthquake. (I know, crazy!) So far, he has only felt a small one, he only has a few more months. Is it wrong for me to hope that his dream doesn't come true?

job site - lots of solar panels below!

 I've only been out there once, but that was enough. My car got attacked by grasshoppers jumping in it's path ... later we discovered that there were countless stuck inside the front bumper when it started stinking like death in the garage ... yep David had to take the front of my car a part and SCOOP them out. NOT my kinda DIY!

nearby the job site, amazing salt bed!

Moving on, the project is on schedule and will finish later this summer. I'll be bummed to leave such a beautiful place. On a GREAT note, there is a good chance that we'll be moving back to Maryland to be close to a lot of our family and friends! And BUYING a house!! We'll know for sure in a few months :)

So, due to David's job we'll probably be moving every few years. And that could be anywhere ... from the Tennessee job, we had friends that moved to Dubai, Australia, Chile, and Canada!

I'm trying to finish up projects, to get our final home tour complete and then we'll be selling a lot of things before we move! If you're close and are interested in something, send me an email @ sarahmdorseydesigns@gmail dot com and I'll let you know if we're selling it. I'll also be posting a list as we get closer ...

I hope this explains a little more about us and why we're moving soon! I'll be sad to leave, but even more excited to be close to family and friends and BUY a house!!

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Zimba Inspired Stencil | Free PDF Download

Just stopping in quickly today to share that I finally uploaded a PDF file of my Zimba inspired stencil :)  If you're interested in making your own, stop by HERE to download! (link is underneath second image on that page)

 

 Enjoy! If you use the stencil, I'd love to see pictures!

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Progress

Here's a sneak peek of the dresser! We almost finished over the weekend, but some of the finishing touches that I got weren't right (i.e.) knobs, so I'll wait to show finished pics.

and a few snapshots from the weekend! I found some cute wrapping paper at Target on clearance for $2.78. The ikat diamond on the left would be great for updating the back of a bookcase! Friday, Avila beach had the neatest sand - kinda like an ikat stripe. I wonder how it does that? We laid out tape on the other side of our Ikea rug (almost ready for paint!). and finally last but not least, Sunday was David's birthday!!! I had an ice cream cake made at a favorite local place. Yum!

I hope you all had a great weekend! :)

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