Pin-Up Girl

Digital media and Web resources such as Pinterest have revolutionized the way we collect, archive, and share our ideas. Call me old fashioned, but I still appreciate having a physical spot to gather snippets of my favorite things in life, as well as inspiration for personal projects.

I'd been admiring some gorgeous linen pinboards from Restoration Hardware, Horchow, and Pottery Barn for quite some time, but their outrageous price tags had kept me at bay. After stalking them for months without encountering any decent promotions, I decided to roll up my sleeves and make my own. Here's how it all went down!

Since l had a rather large pinboard in mind, I needed a lightweight foundation that could easily be mounted and secured to the wall over my desk. I scored a jumbo 36" x 48" gallery wrapped canvas at Michaels, which was a steal at 40% off (Hooray for couponing!), along with two cork rolls, tacky glue, and some D-ring hardware.

I picked up a yard and a half of écru linen at Mood. I absolutely adore the clean look of raw, unbleached linen - it creates a classic and perfectly neutral backdrop for the assortment of elements that will eventually be pinned to this board.

With the canvas placed facedown on the floor, I started by gluing the cork to its backside. I chose tacky glue as my adhesive since it offers a gummy bond after it dries and will accomodate pushpins nicely. It's like wallpapering - make sure you get an even layer of glue, match up your lines, and press down. Tacky glue is pretty forgiving, so if you need to make any adjustments, all you have to do is gently peel the cork up, reposition, and press.

I used a bunch of heavy books (and a puppy) to keep the cork anchored flat as the glue dried for two hours.

After ironing all the wrinkles out of the linen (Thank you, Chris!!), I laid the canvas on top of the fabric and traced/cut a 3" margin around the perimeter. Next, using the fabric's straight edge to ensure that its weave lines were aligned at the borders, I carefully wrapped and stapled the linen around the wooden frame. I opted to reverse the usual "hospital bed" tucking at the joints to create streamlined, yet interesting corners.

Lastly, I attached hanging hardware to the wooden frame. I used three D-ring hangers in order to support the colossal size of my board. Smaller boards would probably only require two hangers.

Voilà! I now have a lovely & splendidly enormous pinboard! I can't wait to dress it up with beautiful mementos, swatches, and muses. This was an incredibly simple project, and I'd highly recommend it for anybody looking to add a some affordable and functional flair to their walls.

The Tables Have Turned

I have been searching high and low for the perfect table to put our study. Originally, I had my eyes on several vintage writing desks. They're elegant, and embody the polished feel of a traditional study. However, when I received a ginormous iMac from my sweet husband for Christmas, I was forced to modify my search in order to accommodate the computer's dimensions.

I'm not complaining in the least bit, really. Looking back, I've noticed that many of the inspiration photos from my previous post featured rather substantial tables prominently placed in the focal point of a room. I decided to search for beautiful dining tables that could double up as larger desks, and discovered a ton of fabulous options. Eventually, I set my heart on the Sheridan Table from *ahem* Tarjay. Here's a style board I whipped up with Mr. Sheridan taking center stage~

I am swooning over this table's classic lines, the old world charm of its turned legs, and the generous surface area it provides without being ridiculously proportioned or bulky. The Sheridan's handsomely distressed finish compliments our existing pieces beautifully, and its size -and price- totally fit the bill.

A few more images of dining table-esque desks~

{Image credits: Elle Decor, Pottery Barn, Patrick Cline, Jan Showers, Miles Redd, Rebecca Ray}

Just Faux Fawn

I've just finished hanging these faux taxidermy heads around our study! They add such great depth and interest, and really pop against the dark blue-grey walls. Call me a freak, but I'm absolutely fascinated with real-deal taxidermy. But if hanging dead animals on your walls feels like overkill, these modern interpretations are a brilliant way to incorporate trophies into your home.

 
{Image credits: Z Gallerie, Williams Sonoma Home, Michele Varian, Lee Kleinhelter, Caldwell Flake}