New DIY Modern Cocktail Table!

Johnna and I put our heads together and came up with this new modern looking cocktail table without spending a dime!

After we came up with the design I found this table on a modern furniture site for $450.

So similar, although I like the two toned, the mix of light and dark woods, on ours better... and so expensive! 

The DILEMMA! 
I was given this piece of furniture from my awesome clients from Spy Rock Real Estate Group, Andrew and Taylor, because it was damaged. Of course I wasn't going to let this go to waste, especially since I picked it out, and told them that I would think of something to hide the damage to make it work.

Once I got the table in the house I realized that it was too low. I was well aware that is was going to be but with my existing sofas I needed to add some height. Johnna and I thought about adding legs somehow but that would take away from the look. So I thought maybe putting a long and narrow cocktail to the side sitting perpendicular to create a 2 tier cocktail would work. Johnna grabbed 2 tables from Doak's room and thought we could saw half of the legs off and do the 2 tier idea with those tables. (See Below)


Doak's Lack Tables from IKEA
Now he's down to two but it looks fine until I get back to IKEA to replace it.

As we played around with the ideas... we came up with 1 floating 2 tier table.
We took two legs off and decided to use a stack of books to secure the table.

note: I need to get hinges or hooks and drill the legs into the side of the main table for extra security. 

The books being under the accent table works out great because Doak is almost 8 months old and into everything! He climbs and stands up on anything he can get his hands on and has been pulling the books off of the table. It's so dangerous...
so this way he can't pull them out! 

                           BEFORE & AFTERS

Our old cocktail was a hand me down. It was a medium wood color and pretty beat up so I sanded the top and used an espresso colored Rust-Oleum spray paint. It looked fine but Der and I both knew that it was about time for a new one.
I had no idea it would be FREE!

Ariel View-Before

Ariel View-After

Too low.

Our fix!

Side View

I love it! 

Ben is pretty convinced that I set this up for him...

and Bella loves it too, especially since Doak can't get to her anymore! Haha.


Have a good one!

Melis 

Thrift Store Finds around the house~

I haven't been able to keep up with "Thrift Store Thursdays" due to the holidays and a ton of design work. BUT, yesterday I had time to check out 1/2 price Wednesday (on furniture and clothes only) to see what I was missing...
The furniture selection was weak however the accessories (not 1/2 price) were great! This collection of accessories may look pretty dull here but I will show where I put them in our house to make sense out of my purchases.

Total: $17

I loved the black chest I placed everything on at the store but it was $20 and I have no where to put it... really cool though!

I'm a huge fan of bottles, especially with a natural cork stopper. They are everywhere in my home, everyone at my wedding got one with sand and a message inside, I don't what it is, I just think they are beautiful. The bottle standing can be used for anything. The melted down bottle could be used as a little cheese tray while serving wine perhaps?!

Tall bottle: $1.99
Melted bottle tray: $1.99

I'm not much of a baker BUT I love to make cookies, cupcakes, and brownies (even if the mix is from a box). This is a great stand to stack any dessert not just cake.

$3.99

There are so many uses for Mason jars... gotta love them!

.99 Cents Each 

Derek always drinks tea so this was an awesome find! I love the shiny chrome and the black modern shaped handle. Tea pots can get expensive in stores. I got it for a steal for...

 $4.99!

Whisk. Just a little something I didn't have and needed.

.99 Cents

These are the types of accessories I hate spending money on... they are always around $15-$20.
Well I got this little stainless steal guy for a buc.

.99 Cents

It goes perfect with the other metal accents in the room like these shower curtain rings... 

and this awesome mirror given to us by the Sheets'. It may have been a thrift find as well but I'm not sure. I am sure I love it!

EXISTING THRIFT FINDS  

This was actually an antique store find but at a thrift store price.

$12 

I got these at two different thrift stores. They are great for salads and I can keep them out because they go with our decor. I leave them above the refrigerator.

Flat round bowl with small salad bowls: $4
Round bowl with wood salad spoon and fork: $3

Love these little guys for vinegar and oil. 

$1 Each

Here is a everything sitting out together (only for the photo, of course). These are perfect little additions to the kitchen and will be great for entertaining. 

This natural woven chest works perfect as an end table that hold all of our photo albums as well as storage inside.

$12

I got these lamps awhile ago and changed out the shades for clean shaped barrels. I'm a huge fan of white lamp bases... I have them in every room!

$7 Each 

This was an awesome find... It's the IKEA POANG Chair. When you add up the chair, ottoman, and cushions for both it cost $196.

I got it for $30!

The cushions were red and not my thing so I went to target and got these orange cushions on clearance. I couldn't believe they fit so well. Love it!

Also, the two ottomans in the photo I recovered were from Thrift Stores. 
See details: Otto Obsession

Every time I hit up a thrift store I end up with a new bottle!
So pretty!
See Details: Glass Vessels

Prices vary: $1-$3 Each

One of my favorite finds considering I'm a toss pillow junkie... 
Seen here, haha: Pillow Obsession

99 Cents!

There are definitely more items scattered throughout our house that are thrift finds... but these are some of my favs! 


I know thrift stores are usually dark and unorganized but if you take a good look around and imagine the items in your own space it changes everything! 


Try it! 


Have a good one!

Melis

Hat Factory Club and VIP Lounge~ Before & Afters

A couple months ago I started a design project at The Hat Factory, an awesome entertainment venue here in Richmond, VA.
 The idea... turn a very casual and eclectic atmosphere
 (photo above) into a modern and chic club and 2nd floor exclusive lounge by New Years Eve!

Design board for the new and improved lounge space. 

The space planning on the 2nd floor needed to seat multiple "exclusive" parties in the same area. White leather curved sectional sofa's and cocktail tables with hidden wedge seating was the way to go. 

Preliminary sketches: 2nd Fl. (Left side)

Preliminary sketches: 2nd Fl. (Right side)

Before & Afters

#1. BEFORE
 -Green wall had to go.
-Furniture had to go.
-Figure out a way to create art on the grey sound absorption boards   

#1. AFTER
-A charcoal paint color to pop the new furniture.
-New white leather contract grade furniture and super functional cocktail tables
-After a few ideas thrown around about the art the owner, Chris Farag, had a great idea to paint famous faces in a clean and crisp black and white design. 

#2. BEFORE

#2. AFTER

#3. BEFORE

#3. AFTER

#4. BEFORE

  

#4. AFTER

The "Luna" sofa works great in the center of the space. Two parties can enjoy the night in privacy because of the high back cushions.

Another Luna shot

And another!

#5. BEFORE
On the ground floor the stage for live bands, DJ's, and other forms of entertainment needed to be revamped. 

#5. AFTER
We added white panels and magenta swags just below the can lights to create height and draw your eye to a brighter stage.

#6. BEFORE
This space was turned into a cabana style seating area for those who want sit and hang out closer to the dance floor.

#6. CABANAS IN PROGRESS

#6. AFTER

Getting ready for New Years festivities!

Packed club!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Exclusive seating area!

Stage looks so much bigger! 

Band looking good on the new stage.

With over 900 presale tickets sold for the New Years Eve party the night was a huge success!


side note: 

Although the club would have been an amazing time I opted
 for wine, pizza and a fire with my boys! 

Haha... Happy New Year!

Cheers! 

Have a good one! 
Melis