enJOY it

Okay. I've hyped this room to no end. If you're curious as to what this room looked like before, click here. Basically, it was fun and cute, but nothing too original. And it's not that things are "original" now, but at least you can't find everything online. To me, it feels like it has a bit more style. It seems a bit more "Californian" for some reason (duh, the sunglasses) but also more modern? But also more 70's? This is why I am a craft blogger and not a decor blogger. I don't know the terms.

Either way though – I am really happy with the result. I am excited to spend the next eight months here.

So taking it wall by wall – Obviously the couch is the same. The end tables (one is actually a wine fridge) are the same. We are going to be changing out that table on the right this summer. My sister-in-law is making us a table like this wood one shown here. How cool is that?!? I can't wait to pick it up in July while I'm in Sacramento.

We made that coffee table and bought the rug on Amazon. Here's what I'll say about the rug : I love it. But it's like a pet. We call it "the dog" because it sheds like you wouldn't believe. I don't think Paul is sold on it, but at the end of the day, it was "free" with Amazon credit and I'm the only one who sweeps and vacuums. So that sort of solves that problem. And it's crazy soft. And awesome.

The pillow on the left is West Elm and I made the other one with the same fabric I lined the trunk with. I used the stripes to create a chevron pattern just like I did for the headboard. Came together pretty quick and I'm happy with the extra green.

Up on the wall we have the sunglass art I purchased a few months ago. They were in our bedroom but were way to cool to stay there. I love them out here. And if you're curious, everything that was on this wall is now leaning on top of our dresser in the bedroom and looks pretty decent.

The three wooden boxes were purchased at Michael's in Maryland when Paul and I first moved in together. We used them to store our DVDs. I love that a bit of stain and some drywall screws gave them new life. Various plants and vessels, a #2 (for the two of us) from Home Depot and a brass unicorn that I purchased on etsy to which Paul proclaimed, "Impulse buy much?" I made that CA art the same way I did the silhouettes that hang in our bedroom.

Window wall! I switched out the photo in that black frame on the right and hung it in a new spot. The "C" below is from Urban Outfitters. My married last name is "Cripe". While I'll probably always be "Elise Blaha" online, I've embraced the "C" in real life.

On the other side, I relocated the copper art and obviously added the "&" art. That framed piece in front is from this etsy shop. I LOVE it so much. Her work is just stunning.

Stripe wall! Sort of boring right here – just the TV really. But look how much cooler the TV looks on my antique trunk! Can't find that at Ikea! Check plus! Those guitars are an acoustic I bought Paul for his birthday and then the controller for Rockband 3. The door leads into our office.

Moving on to my favorite part – the dining nook. Here's the deal. The kitchen area was lacking seriously. And the stripes made all the difference in the world. Obviously the painted green chairs help too. The table cloth is from Williams Sonoma and the vase is from Crate and Barrel circa 2009.

On one wall I have a framed print from this great artist and one of my own flower prints in 11×14. On the other I hung a cubby display from Pottery Barn. It clearly needs some fillers. Right now, I just have a few place holders tucked in there. I like the idea of filling it slowly by picking up different items on vacations (but cool stuff – not tourist tschotskes). It has 25 cubby holes, so I plan on eventually using it as an Advent calendar every Christmas season when we have kids. I'll tuck a little note or present into each square and then we'd open one every day of December. Is that weird that it was the first thing I though of when I saw it? Cannot wait to be a parent.

So that's that! My photos are not great and the lighting is bad, but you get the idea. Different, right? Better, hopefully?

Let me know in the comments if you have any source questions I missed. I have tried to link to every DIY project – it's cool too see them all together. Thanks for taking look!