Tour Though Blogland

Happy Monday! I was recently invited by Ursula of Home Made by Carmona to participate in a blogland tour, giving a little more insight into what makes me tick. Ursula, is such a sweetie and one of the first new friends I made at the Haven Conference. Here's how it works, I answer four questions and then introduce you to another blogger and she'll do the same next week.

What am I working on?

I'm always working on 4-5 projects at time, I just like to have my hands on everything! Here's a quick rundown of the projects: refinishing our vintage nightstands, staining our wood and marble console table, framing artwork, working on our linen cabinets and planting flowers in our backyard. 

How does my work differ from others in my DIY genre?

We have a small home, which I've totally embraced its size, and try and use every square inch in a thoughtful and creative way and did I mention we're on a budget! Being on a budget forces you to get creative and resourceful (shopping CL, Thrift Stores, Stocking items until they go on clearance and getting your hands dirty with DIY)

Why do I write and create what I do?

By nature, I'm a sharing and creative at heart, that's one reason I love blogging sharing ideas and sharing what I'm working on. Since I was little I've always loved to draw, paint and rearrange my bedroom. I've loved interior design, before I even knew there was a name for it.

 I love this quote from Maya Angelou, 'You can't use creativity up, the more you use, the more you have.' 

That's exactly how I feel! Last year when we were working on on re-building our home, even though it was a very hard time emotionally. I loved entire process or creating the vision and feel I had for our home, I'm totally in love with how everything has been coming together thus far.

How does my writing and creative process work?

When I'm working on a project, I start brainstorming new projects and get inspired to create the next project. I carry a notebook in my purse, I can write down my ideas all the time. For me, creating for my home and enjoying it is my creative outlet. 

Now its time to introduce my friend, fellow blogger and recent Haven roomie Darnetha from ChippaSunshine. Not only is Darnetha a fellow small house homeowner (which makes me adore her even more) she's creative, funny she's full of spunk! 

Here's a little bit about her. 

Hi Chic Little House readers! I’m Darnetha from ChippaSunshine. Most days you will find me with my three kids wearing a top-knot and sipping sweet tea. In my pastime I design, sew, cook, and organize. I love to create. It is and will forever be my passion. My home is my canvas and that canvas is always evolving. My goal is to create a beautiful home that is comfortable and makes life as simple as possible.

I love her recent DIY Homework Caddy she made to help contain the kid clutter, isn't it the cutest!

Thanks again Ursula for tagging me in the Tour Though Blogland. Be sure and stop by ChippaSunshine next Monday to get some insight into Darnetha's creative process. 

Vintage Lane Nightstands

For the past year, I've been looking for a pair of vintage nightstands to replace our existing too small nightstands, ever since I found a pair of large Ralph Lauren lamps at a thrift store. Right now we can barely put a drinking glass on our nightstand, so I've been on the hunt. I love mixing vintage furniture with new in my home. For me its a more thoughtful approach than buying everything from a 'one stop shop.' As luck would have I came across the perfect vintage pair of Lane nightstands for our bedroom on Craigslist. I love the classic lines of the nightstands and they're the perfect size to hold our lamps along with glasses of water and pretty things. Because, being able to hold pretty things was on my list! Here's are pretty new to us vintage dressers, I picked up for $50 bucks for the pair! 

While checking out the drawers in the nightstands before buying them, I was happy to see that their made from Lane and loved their dovetail drawers. The nightstands are made from solid wood and very well built. 

The current state of the nightstands are pretty good, drawers open and close nice and smooth. They just need a very good cleaning sanding and new paint job. Once they all prettied up, I just have a very good feeling they'll look amazing in our bedroom. I love the pretty curves on these pair of nightstands, perfect mixture of vintage and modern. 

When I first brought the nightstands home, I was considering replacing the hardware and right now I'm totally love with keeping the original hardware as is. Of course Anthropologie & Restoration Hardware has some pretty handles I've been eyeing, so I might go that route instead. 

This weekend, I'm hitting hitting the beach to visit one of my besties and squeezing in the cleaning, priming process! I'll share progress pictures Tuesday. 

What do you think of our new nightstands? Any recent scores from Craigslist?