Michelle Lee Interiors: entryway

Wednesday

Take a Seat

Whew! This last weekend we took a whirlwind of a trip to Minnesota and made our way to the Mall of America, IKEA, and HomeGoods. I was one happy girl and even happier when we finally managed to get all my goodies to fit in the trunk of my car! Remember our "entryway" that I showed you here? Well I found quite the gem while I was shopping at HomeGoods! I knew it was making the trek back to Arkansas with us the moment I saw it! Here she is with a stellar $80 price tag!

Isn't she a beaut? I couldn't wait to get her home and place her in my empty corner! As soon as we pulled into the driveway, that was the first thing I did. Who needs to unpack when I can immediately resume decorating! A couple of throw pillows tossed on top and I was a happy camper! These definitely aren't the forever pillows (I'm thinking grey and white chevron may be the ticket!) but it sure made our new addition fit right in!

The top also flips open so we can store games or hats and gloves in it! I love functionality!

We also hit up IKEA and bought everything I needed to finish up my bookshelf project (here, here and here!) and then some! Here's me and the mister shoppin' 'til we drop!

Here's a sneak peak of our loot:

Three hours and a cinnamon roll later, I had everything needed to finish my monstrous project and I can't wait to show y'all the big reveal!

Monday

Who doesn't like change??

Hello hello, and happy Monday! I hope your weekend was filled with sunshine and DIY projects! Okay, so I don't hope your weekended was full of painting and sanding and sun like mine was (it sounds fun though, right?). But the feeling I get at the end of a project is so rewarding that it just keeps me going on and on and on...like the energizer bunny of DIY. So I know I have already revealed our Keeper of All Things. Well, I guess I should have called it the Keeper of Most Things. We still have one item that ends up in the couch cushions, washing machine, on the dresser, and anywhere else something super-duper tiny can fit. You guessed it, change.

Money that never feels like money because it always ends up in places that you can't spend it! I mean really, change can buy a lot of stuff. First thing to mind--Sonic Happy Hour. I could reallllly go for a large Ocean Water right now. Never fear! I've found a solution that is functional, inexpensive, and pretty darn cute! Alright, let's get it started!

I showed y'all my Target treasures that included my handy-dandy apothecary jar:

Does the word "apothecary" make anyone else replay the Friends episode with the Pottery Barn apothecary table? No? Just me? Okay, moving on then! I gathered my jar, blue painter tape, an envelope, and my chalkboard paint and brush.

Then, I taped around my envelope, using it as a stencil since it is the perfect size for my homemade chalkboard.

I removed the envelope and was left with a perfect rectangle! Time to paint! I used a small sponge brush and did 3 moderate coverage coats. Even though it looks dry after about an hour, be sure to let it sit overnight before applying another coat. Believe me. Otherwise, you'll end up peeling the paint right off with your brush!

Gently remove your tape and bada-bing-bada-boom (yep, another Friends reference)! You've got yourself a chalkboard label!

I picked up a box of plain white chalk at Walmart (that's for you mom!) for .74 cents and labelled my jar for it's oh-so-useful purpose!

Since our entryway project is still a work in progress while I'm on the hunt for the perfect table, the change jar has made a temporary home on the bookshelf! What do you think? Time to break it down:

apothecary jar: $8 from Target
tape, envelope, paintbrush and chalkboard paint: already on-hand=free
chalk: .74 cents from Walmart

TOTAL=$8.74

Check your local Pier 1 for my DIY inspiration sporting a $15 pricetag!

Anyone had a great "catch-all" solution for the home?

Wednesday

The Keeper of All Things

Each night, the Mr. comes home and sets his keys, sunglasses, and wallet down...in separate places. And every morning, we play a game of who can round up all of his stuff. Then, I came across this genius idea from the DIY Showoff that I showed you here. Time to shop! I had the mister snap this pic while I skipped out of the store with my new treasures!

Go figure, I end up at Target. And with ~~slightly~~ much more than just a 3-part tray, but I did scoop this baby up for just $10!

Then, I used some stickers I got from Hobby Lobby (on clearance, duh) to label each compartment. I applied a light coat of Mod Podge to seal the letters. Then, I gave it one more coat with a clear gloss so it won't be damaged if it gets wet. Like this perhaps:

And TA-DAH!

Miss B was VERY anxious for me to finish my project so we could play. Here she is, waiting patiently.

I figured I could go ahead and put my new addition to good use!

And there you have it--the keeper of all things. Let's break it down now:

3-part ceramic tray: $10 from Tar-jay
Letter stickers: $2 on clearance from Hobby Lobby
Mod Podge: on-hand, free
Clear Acrylic Sealer: $5 from Walmart
Paintbrush: on-hand, free

TOTAL: $17

Super, SUPER easy and again, another shout out to The DIY Showoff! If you haven't checked her out, you should hop on over and see her and all of her DIY goodness! Now, if only I could find the perfect entryway table. Have a great day!!

Come On In

Happy hump day! I don't know about y'all, but the weekend can't get here quick enough! I just found a ton of DIY projects to keep me busy and thought I'd share the wealth! First, I have to show you our pathetic little corner of an entryway:

Yep, that's our "entryway." Okay, so it's definitely not a foyer and it really isn't by the door, but it is smack dab in the middle of our front door and garage door. So close your eyes, keep 'em shut now, and picture one of the following tucked into that nice little nook:

I love the small bench! It really makes me want to plop down and kick off my shoes!

posted by 4.bp.blogspot.com

What's not to love about this space? Clean lines, fresh flowers on the table, space for shoes--function meets style perfectly!

posted by http://tulipsandflightsuits.squarespace.com/

This isn't your typical entryway, unless you store your luggage there too, but I was drawn to the simple table, beautiful vase and large mirror.

posted by purplearea.blogspot.com

Now, here are some DIY projects that could really beautify and personalize our entryway space and where you can find the directions to DIY too!

This key-keeper is fab!

posted by The DIY Showoff

This Pier 1 knock-off would be the perfect accessory for my table! And she makes it look so easy!

posted by frou-fruGal

This.is.genius. We currently have change on bookshelves, dressers, counter tops, and in couch cushions. What a perfect, and might I add stylish, solution! This just in--glassware is 50% off at Hobby Lobby this weekend, so I'll be sure to pick up an apothecary jar!