this for that

It's Spring. spring into action, spring cleaning, clean it up, up with new wallpaper, down with the old drapes..... I'm getting the itch, big time, to do something fresh around here. I'm so tight with space that I have to do it all with efficiency. I'm also perpetually in the market for a new house one with a bit more room, but that's another story {even a story and a half would be better} - but I'm cautious as to how much I want to invest around here .

That said, I'm always looking for ways to get the look I want at a 'better' cost. Enter my image files of 'this for that'. In this file resides images of all kinds of ideal spaces and their cheaper version, counterparts.

Living in a home built in 1947 whose sole intention of function was as a summer beach house - there is virtually NO storage { '40s+summer+vacation+beach= minimal clothing and material possessions } And so I dream. I dream in these images culled and pulled from magazines.

One of my many closet images is this one from Laura Vinroot Poole's creatively put together home { domino 2/07 }

Laura has taken a room in her home and transformed it into a walk-in. Nice, isn't it? That's great, but it's not happening around here. We all need what personal space is available. Nobody's giving up a bedroom.

But while I'm dreaming, I do love a wallpapered closet. It's like the house version of beautiful expensive, matching underwear - when you're not dating nor married. It's there for your eyes only.

She used the Osborne and Little 'Asuka' which has that lovely foiled, Camilla pattern - so perfect for a glamorous dressing room and about $120.00 a roll.

She also has a great vintage George Nelson jewelry cabinet - about $1,400.00 - gives the space a nice touch of whimsy and character.

***************************************************************************

OK so here comes the 'this for that' part: Jenny, of Little Green Note Book - one of the super heroes of DIY interior design, found this great knock off of 'Asuka' at Sherwin Williams. FOR $21.00.

And look how great it looks up:

and as for the jewelry cabinet? check out this, ingenious, Ikea Hack:

I love the added bonus of the lined drawer and the compartments. Little surprises like this make everyone happy.

This piece was created using 3 Ikea Fira drawers, set atop the base of an Ikea Fornbro side table. Brilliance. Check out the makings of this terrific knock off, here.

So for now, I'm not building any grand, wallpapered, walk-in closets. I've got the walls and the windows to play with. Textiles, patterns and colors can go a long way.

I've got the painter coming at noon for a bid {is it time to bid farewell to the bold walls? } , I'm considering pulling down the Imperial Trellis for a calmer, Phillip Jeffries Grass Cloth and maybe {not totally decided on just yet} changing out the Clarence House drapes for possibly...a Linen print found at Calico Corners { ! } This for that, It's that time of year.