LOFT32 GUEST POST FEATURED TODAY

MY GUEST POST, FEATURED ON expectmoore.blogspot.com POSTED TODAY! Carolina says:I have to admit something really crazy here - I went to a mall last weekend in San Diego with my mom (no, that's not the crazy part), and as we went into the stores, I thought about how much this shirt or that skirt reminded me of something I've seen on a Blog. This is not because bloggers are ripping off the designers or vice versa - it is because I haven't stepped foot in a Mall since Christmas (unless Target counts as a Mall?). I am hopefully outdated when it comes to fashion, and trends. It is a good thing that jeans and plain t-shirts never got out of style (um, they are still in style, right?)

This is where Candace comes in... she has got true style when it comes to home decor (want to help me out with my beige walls?). She scours the stores, web, catalogs, whatever, and comes up with great posts consolidating all of it. She also shows before and afters of her own renovation projects (she's not just "talking the talk" when it comes to decor...) Thanks to her wonderful blog I can now tell you about stylish bathroom renovating and upscale pastels. I can even chat about classy birdhouses...
all while wearing my jeans and white t-shirt...

Hi! I'm Candace, the editor of Loft32 blog. I'm honored to be your guest blogger for the day during this exciting "Pocket Week". So, let's get to it....There's no doubt that we're all talented crafters, scrapbookers or seamstresses....but let's face it, we have lots of clutter! In order to create our masterpieces, it requires tons of "stuff" (your husband might call it something else) such as: stamps, ink pads, scissors, fabric, yarn, equipment, paper, glue and other necessities!

Most of us aren't lucky enough to have an entire room to work in. Nope! Instead, we have our little "pocket" of space that was designated as our "work area"! Keeping organized is one way to keep your sanity, but what about how it fits in with that chic decor of the rest of the house? Usually, people come over and you say-"this is my gorgeous kitchen, this is my lovely master bedroom, and...oh yeah, that's my craft area" and then rush them quickly passed it, hoping they didn't have time to catch a glimpse of the chaos! Just so you know...it IS absolutely possible to turn that "pocket" into an attractive, decorated space-one you'll want to show off to your guests and one which blends in well with the rest of your decor style. Here are some examples of some chic crafting spaces of all sizes!

[photos courtesy of BHG and Houzz]

Most of these crafters didn't use cabinets, but instead they chose open shelving. Cabinets tend to make smaller spaces look tiny, so even though you have tons of things to place onyour shelves, it's still best to keep them open, which allows better access too!

Hopefully, these spaces presented some great ideas and some really unique ways to stay organized, store your notions and keep it chic!

QUEST FOR CHAIRS-MY VINTAGE FIND!

I had searched for some dining chairs and a table for what seemed to be FOREVER...until I saw some vintage chrome chairs on ebay! The only problem was, they were being sold by someone in New York and the auction was for pick up only. Determined to have them, I emailed the seller and begged her to ship them to me. She finally said okay, but I would have to do all the research, and pay her to pack and take them to the nearest Greyhound station, etc. The final day of the auction came....and yep, I was indeed the only bidder....so, for $100, I won what I thought were six dining chairs....a call comes in from the seller as she discovered there were in fact EIGHT chairs...do I want them....yes please! Here's what they looked like when they arrived....

Ahhhh, yes....fake beige suede upholstery and rusting old chrome frame. But...I had a vision girls!

After spending a couple weekends restoring the old chrome, and having them reupholstered, here's what a good ebay buy gets you!

Have a custom table made to fit eight chairs....and call it a dining room! Now- I need some art, accessories and to remove the blue tape (which we all learn to live with, right?)!

HAPPY FREEDOM!

[Pottery Barn]

TOTO...WE'RE NOT IN AFRICA ANYMORE!

But there are zebras everywhere! I cannot get enough of the zebra hide rugs. Not sure if I like zebras because they have mohawks or because each one is unique.....

This, my friends..... is my dream living room! I can't tell you how much I love the look of a white couch against a zebra rug. The custom table by Plantation is simple, yet the perfect accent to a gorgeous room. In my opinion, a hide rug is a requirement in a classic modern style home! Can't wait to get mine!