Thursday, August 28, 2014

Painted Gray Furniture Inspiration

Mine and Zach's master bedroom is pretty much put together for the most part, but there are two pieces of furniture in there that need some attention.  One is the chest of drawers that our TV sits on and the other is my bedside table - which was free! My father-in-law picked up this pretty piece from a neighbor who was going to just throw it out:


The wood has more vibrancy in the picture than it does in person, but I'm still on the fence about painting it.  The chest of drawers with our TV on it on the other hand, is in desperate need of some paint and new knobs (sorry, no picture - but I'll be sure to include one when I do paint it!).

I've been seeing lots of gray painted furniture around Pinterest and the blogosphere and I really love the look of it paired with gold accents or knobs.  Here are a few pictures that got me thinking of painting the chest of drawers gray:






I'm excited to transform the chest of drawers with a can of paint and some new knobs, and I actually already picked up some primer and Rustoleum glossy oil-based paint in 'Smoke Gray.'  I just need to pick up some knobs at Hobby Lobby when they have them at 50% off.  I'm thinking along with line's of something like this, this or this.

What do y'all think?  Have you painted anything gray lately?

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Master Bedroom Makeover Updates

I'm on a mission to update our master bedroom, and we made a lot of progress last weekend. 

You can see here where I started with updating the bedding. That made a huge difference. But, it definitely needed a lot more work. 

Here are a few before pics...






  
See those lovely drips on the wall above the bed? That's where the plastic on the back of the frame MELTED. So attractive.

Obviously, we didn't get the room picture-ready, so the after pictures will be even MORE dramatic (I hope). 




The best part about this makeover is that I used a lot of stuff we already had. Those pressed ferns are from Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta, and I got them framed at Hobby Lobby. We also have four pressed flowers hanging the den. We've had them for several months. 




We did buy the mirror at Pier One over the weekend. It was a silver color, but I used Rub 'n Buff to make it gold, and I love the way it turned out.

That Lake Martin print on the left wall was a marital compromise. R.B. loves it, and since he's been so great with me taking over the house, I wanted to give him a little something to make him happy. 




This corner was empty beforehand. I had the chair, table, and lamp in my old apartment. The basket is a wedding gift from Williams-Sonoma. That little quirky vase is from an estate sale in Montgomery. And, we bought the pillow over the weekend from World Market.




This is my favorite little part of the room. Those are watercolors of prominent buildings in Tuscaloosa. I got them at an antique mall there last year. I got the gate-leg table from Eastbrook Flea Market & Antique Mall a couple of years ago for a steal. 

We used a Behr color match of Sherwin Williams Rice Grain paint-and-primer-in-one for the walls. It only took two coats, and we finished in a couple of hours. 

So, there you have it. We still have the whole back wall to figure out. 


  
Aren't the tv and dresser really sad looking by themselves?

And, we have this little gem to deal with. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture, but those blades are seafoam green. When was that ever popular? 




What do you think? Help me fill that back wall; I need your ideas! And, we'd love to see your home makeovers!

Friday, August 22, 2014

Recipe :: Cake Mix Banana Bread


The other day, I had two bananas leftover that were about to go bad.  So of course I made banana bread!  I started prepping and realized I was almost out of flour and completely out of baking soda which created a bit of a problem.  I remembered that I did have some cake mix in the pantry and thought I'd give it a try...and it worked out perfectly!


Ingredients:
1 (15 oz.) box of yellow cake mix
1 egg

1 stick butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 overripe bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Crumb Topping:
3/4 cup flour
2 T brown sugar
2 T granulated sugar
4 T unsalted butter, melted
1/4 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a metal loaf pan.

Combine egg, softened butter and banana in a stand mixer until combined.  Mix in milk, vanilla and cinnamon.  Gradually add in cake mix until well combined.  Pour into greased loaf pan.

Melt butter in a medium size glass bowl in the microwave (I did mine for 30 seconds, stir and another 30 seconds).  Once butter has melted, add in remaining ingredients and mix with a fork making sure it crumbles.  Once you have it in crumbles, sprinkle over bread mixture in the loaf pan.

Bake at 350 F for 45-50 minutes.  Enjoy!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

And the Winner Is...

The winner of the OneBirdsNest giveaway is...




Congratulations, Megan! Email us at zeldaandmadeline@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Thank you to everyone who entered. It was a fun giveaway, and we'll have many more in the future! And, if you didn't win, be sure to check out Elizabeth's art online at www.onebirdsnest.com!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Love or Leave It: TSwift

Just a few more hours to enter our giveaway with OneBirdsNest!

Taylor Swift seems to bring out strong emotions in some people. I hear people say all the time, "I can't stand Taylor Swift." Kelley is not a huge fan, but she does acknowledge that her songs are pretty darn catchy and she catches herself singing along when they come on the radio!

I, on the other hand, adore her. I think she is the epitome of grace (remember how she handled the Kanye debacle?) and such a great role model for young girls in a world full of Miley and Nicki Minaj. 

She just released a new single that is all pop and no country - "Shake it Off." The video is so fun, and the message is perfect. She's taking aim at all the haters who make fun of her music and love life and anything else she does. She's just going to "shake, shake, shake it off." 





So, what do you say? Are you loving Taylor's new song? Or, will you leave it to the rest of us? 

Friday, August 15, 2014

Link Love

1  ::  This hack has me thinking I need to make an Ikea run.
2  ::  I love a good monogram.



2  ::  This video is pure joy.
3  ::  I want to wallpaper my entire house with this paper.

Pineapple (Mint) – Hygge & West

4  ::  This mirror needs to find its way to my home asap.
5  ::  This outfit has me yearning for cooler temps.

black boots + white dress + leather jacket :: Kendi Everyday

6  ::  I could eat this several times a week and be completely happy.
7  ::  I would be perfectly happy with this art all over my home - good thing there's a giveaway!


8  ::  My favorite lipstick (especially the Mulberry color!).
9  ::  I've got these boots on my radar.

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

MeetMontgomery: OneBirdsNest + A Giveaway!

We did it! With y'all's help, we reached our goal of 500 Facebook likes! We are so very appreciative for all the support. And, now on to the fun part...

We've started a recurring feature here on Z+M called MeetMontgomery. Our first feature was with Wicks & Willow, and it was super popular. So, here we are again with another wonderful Montgomery, Alabama artist!





Elizabeth Hawke is the owner, artist, marketer, and anything else that may come up at OneBirdsNest. We asked Elizabeth to tell us a little bit about herself and her family, and she put it so beautifully, we just can't even add to it. 


Elizabeth says, "I am the wife to my husband, Harrison, and mother to our 22-month old daughter, Anne Helen. Family is where my heart is: where I find my peace and happiness.  My home life says the most about me; it is also where I create my artwork of OneBirdsNest

Outside of our four walls, I am the Business Development Director at Seay Seay & Litchfield Architects. I love being surrounded by the creative minds of my co-workers each day.

Harrison and I find ourselves in Montgomery, my hometown, after a job opportunity for Harrison that moved us from Mobile. But, it was in Mobile that we established our first home, and I found my own style in home décor. Experimenting with furniture and art arrangements in this house created a spring board for crafting my own art pieces that fit my specific needs. When we moved to Montgomery, I was presented with a new home to establish as uniquely mine. Delightfully, this Montgomery home would foster and nurture many, many more dreams."






How did you come up with the idea and name for OneBirdsNest

"I became brave enough to entertain the idea of selling my artwork over wine with some good girl friends (one good idea out of numerous bad ones, I am sure). I had been painting for friends for years, but never in a professional manner. Promoting my art to the public was a big step for me - scary and exciting. I am lucky to have good friends and empowering family members who encouraged me all the way though.  

About the Name: Birds seem to be a recurring theme in my life. As a child, my parents called me “tweety-bird” because I had a big head, big eyes and NO hair. Just as I was getting past the memory-banks on that nickname, I married Harrison, whose last name is Hawke. Once again....a bird. When we welcomed our daughter, another baldheaded little girl, I caught myself calling her my “little birdie." So, there is a good bit of irony in the name OneBirdsNest.


But, more importantly, it is about home, which means the world to me. As I mentioned in a recent blog post, my home is my family, my retreat, my culinary school, my boardinghouse, my cinema, and even my night club (on a good Saturday night).  It’s mine - my project…and decorated as such. It’s my nest. It reflects me. I hope my artwork helps others in the design of their comfort zones, as they define their own nest."

Where do you receive your inspiration?

"My overall inspiration for OneBirdsNest comes from desire to encourage my daughter to pursue her dreams. Life is about taking chances and making your own happiness.

The artwork is driven by color inspirations. I am stimulated by colors that speak to me personally or the color schemes of my clients’ homes. Creatively, I am fueled by the endless ways to combine those colors in meaningful ways that intrigue the eye, time and again."

Tide II

Abstract Landscape

How would you describe your design style? 

"My artwork and design is abstract in nature. When painting my own collections, I lean towards light, bright, and airy. Primary color choices are neutral and soft, juxtaposed to powerful design strokes. But, my style is ever-evolving. Color studies and commissionings for clients have pushed me to utilize brighter, more powerful colors. I enjoy the way it has stretched my breadth and depth of work; and, I find myself painting more and more collections in that manner."





Where can interested buyers purchase your work? 

"I maintain an internet gallery of ready-to-purchase work at www.onebirdsnest.com. Additionally, I currently have pieces on display and available for purchase at Parish, Painted Pink, and The Chophouse at Vintage Year. It looks as though there may be some more exciting opportunities for project/store installs in the future. One of these is a local exhibition of  a body of my work, which will occur in November.

I believe that a home should say something about its owners and the way that they happily live. Often times, that calls for custom work.  For that reason, I am also available for commissionings of custom pieces in which I perform a color study of the home and design a piece complimentary to the specific space. For me, there is nothing better than seeing a client’s happiness satisfied by a unique piece of art that specifically fits their needs."




Block Party

The Tower II

What do you love about Montgomery? (We love this answer)

"Its potential. This is an exciting time to live in Montgomery. The future holds so many possibilities; and, I am excited to be a part. We are living in the growth of a creative city, and I look forward to seeing what unfolds.

More importantly, Montgomery is my family and friends and all the memories. And, it’s the city I will see through new eyes as my daughter grows up."

Tide I





Don't you love Elizabeth and her work?! I've already purchased two pieces that I hope to use in our master bedroom makeover!

And, now for a giveaway! Elizabeth has so generously offered one of her 6x6 paintings. You can choose from those pictured in the blog post (Tide I, Tide II, The Tower II, Block Party, and Abstract Landscape). These look great on a desk or dresser, and they make awesome gifts! Local winners can pick up from Painted Pink. And, if you're not in Montgomery, Elizabeth will ship it right to your house!

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway ends at midnight on Wednesday, August 20. Good luck!!