Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Design on a Korean Dime!
A big thank you goes out to Aaron for trusting me with decorating his new place! His only 2 requirements were "no clutter and organization!" Done and done! :)
After 1 week, here's what I came up with! (Remember, Korea doesn't have Target, Hobby Lobby, Big Lots, Goodwill, Joannes, or Michaels which are my favorite stores when decorating a space) I had to be extra resourceful, and put my feet to work, walking the town, searching for the perfect fabric and organizational items!
I surprised Aaron and broke into his apartment (there's a keypad, I didn't break a window people!) and assembled everything while he was at school today! (I had the day off because of the snow, which was perfect!) Aaron was completely shocked when he walked in and LOVE, LOVE, LOVES IT and said he never wants to leave! I was so happy!
The bedding was hand sewn by guess who?! ME! About 3,000 stitches went into that duvet cover, which is reversible, depending on what mood Mr Aaron is in! It can be brown or blue, both of which match his sheets! I love the duvet cover, but I love the decorative pillow even more! This was made from a tweed skirt I picked up at Gukje Thrift Market for $0.75!! Buying old suit jackets or skirts from thrift stores is a great way to bring a masculine fabric into a room for minimal to no cost! It's finished off with a button I had leftover from the duvet! Pillow $0.75, Duvet $12.00, 2 white pillows $6.00, Sheets $10.00, (from Big Lots in America) Shelf $15.00, and Asian Style touch lamp $20.00
I hand sewed these curtains with some white fabric I found in Gukje Market and blue, brown and tweed fabric scraps leftover from the bedding! This is a great way to tie in bedding with curtains!
Curtains $5.00, Curtain Rod $3.00, Plant $7.00, Glass Plant Bowl $10.00, Wood Box $2.00
This is Aaron's entry area where he puts his shoes. I decided to use this space as a place for him to put important papers, schoolwork, and the change he acquires throughout the day, and dressed it up with some pictures and a nice plant! Every room needs a plant! Brown Paper Holder $7.00, Plant and Pot $ 3.50, everything else Aaron already had!
The pictures on the wall are from a calendar that Aaron's mom sent him with a Christmas package! They are the covers of old UNC football programs. He loved the pictures (and so did I), so I decided to incorporate them! Wall Art: $FREE!
I found this leaf shaped wood in Daiso, a dollar store in Korea! I love the rustic-ness of the wood, mixed with the softness of the candles for romantic dinner dates! Wood Platter $2.00, candles $6.00
This is probably my favorite part of the room! I found this clock today at NewCore outlet (the equivalent of the neighborhood Nordstroms). I'm actually going to paint it to make the numbers pop on the white wall behind it, but the design is pretty awesome! Clock: $25.00
No clutter - check!
Organization - check!
Happy customer - check!
Grand Total: $134.25!
I'd say it's a success!
After 1 week, here's what I came up with! (Remember, Korea doesn't have Target, Hobby Lobby, Big Lots, Goodwill, Joannes, or Michaels which are my favorite stores when decorating a space) I had to be extra resourceful, and put my feet to work, walking the town, searching for the perfect fabric and organizational items!
I surprised Aaron and broke into his apartment (there's a keypad, I didn't break a window people!) and assembled everything while he was at school today! (I had the day off because of the snow, which was perfect!) Aaron was completely shocked when he walked in and LOVE, LOVE, LOVES IT and said he never wants to leave! I was so happy!
The bedding was hand sewn by guess who?! ME! About 3,000 stitches went into that duvet cover, which is reversible, depending on what mood Mr Aaron is in! It can be brown or blue, both of which match his sheets! I love the duvet cover, but I love the decorative pillow even more! This was made from a tweed skirt I picked up at Gukje Thrift Market for $0.75!! Buying old suit jackets or skirts from thrift stores is a great way to bring a masculine fabric into a room for minimal to no cost! It's finished off with a button I had leftover from the duvet! Pillow $0.75, Duvet $12.00, 2 white pillows $6.00, Sheets $10.00, (from Big Lots in America) Shelf $15.00, and Asian Style touch lamp $20.00
I hand sewed these curtains with some white fabric I found in Gukje Market and blue, brown and tweed fabric scraps leftover from the bedding! This is a great way to tie in bedding with curtains!
Curtains $5.00, Curtain Rod $3.00, Plant $7.00, Glass Plant Bowl $10.00, Wood Box $2.00
This is Aaron's entry area where he puts his shoes. I decided to use this space as a place for him to put important papers, schoolwork, and the change he acquires throughout the day, and dressed it up with some pictures and a nice plant! Every room needs a plant! Brown Paper Holder $7.00, Plant and Pot $ 3.50, everything else Aaron already had!
The pictures on the wall are from a calendar that Aaron's mom sent him with a Christmas package! They are the covers of old UNC football programs. He loved the pictures (and so did I), so I decided to incorporate them! Wall Art: $FREE!
I found this leaf shaped wood in Daiso, a dollar store in Korea! I love the rustic-ness of the wood, mixed with the softness of the candles for romantic dinner dates! Wood Platter $2.00, candles $6.00
This is probably my favorite part of the room! I found this clock today at NewCore outlet (the equivalent of the neighborhood Nordstroms). I'm actually going to paint it to make the numbers pop on the white wall behind it, but the design is pretty awesome! Clock: $25.00
No clutter - check!
Organization - check!
Happy customer - check!
Grand Total: $134.25!
I'd say it's a success!
Winter Wonderland in March!
I woke up to my cell phone ringing at 7:30am! It was Ella... "Alexis, Lessons are cancelled today for the students because of snow." I immediately jumped out of bed and swung open my window to find this winter wonderland outside!!
I immediately called Aaron to wake him up and tell him about the snow! He came and met me before school so we could play in the snow together! (He only lives a 10 min walk from me now!)
It's like Christmas time!
Mr. North Carolina... He grew up in the snow, but was still excited to play in it with me!
mmm, yummy snow!
I walked over to my bus stop and waited... and waited... and waited, to no avail!
30 minutes went by and my bus never came, so I decided to hide out in one of my favorite bakery's down the street and watch, out the window, for my bus to come.
Turns out, my bus wasn't running because of the snow, so I called Ella and asked her what I should do. She was standing next to the Vice Principal and asked him. His answer was, "She can take a holiday today and stay home..." YAY! A couple minutes later she called back and said, "Vice President says it's TOP SECRET!" First of all, I love when teachers call the principals "presidents" and secondly, I really love when things are top secret because it usually means that they are breaking the rules for my benefit! I love my school... I love my new Vice Principal... and I REALLY love snow days!