My Creative Blog [Search results for Marbled Paper] 

I don't know about you, but for me, decorating is such a process. I am not one of those people who can pull a room together in one day. The design for a room sort of evolves over time in my house, because- let's be honest- I change my mind A LOT. We also watch our wallet pretty closely, so sometimes, I'll do something in a room using stuff we have on hand, or something I purchased inexpensively, just because it's costs less. Such is the case with our dining room. I've been trying to figure out what to do over my buffet, and think (fingers crossed!) I've come up with a pretty good solution.

A few weeks ago, I shared with you how I created the perfect picture grid above the buffet, but then admitted at the end of the post that this option wasn't staying. Hehe. I already had these frames and thought they might work in the dining room, but alas, it just didn't capture the feel I was going for. I definitely don't want a formal, stuffy room, but I want it to feel more adult-like. Don't get me wrong- I love having pictures of my cute family plastered on my walls, but this just isn't the spot for it.

So, I went back to the drawing board.

Shaunna recommended this lovely piece of art in her inspiration board for my dining room, however, at that time it was on sale at Joss & Main, but now I can no longer find it! I loved the movement of the piece and thought maybe I could try to recreate it. Then I remembered this post about DIY Marbled Paper Boxes by Centsational Girl, and was inspired to give the inexpensive paper option a try!

I ordered two sheets of Pirouette Marbled Paper from Paper Mojo. I was so stinkin' excited like a giddy school girl mildly enthused as a proper lady when I got the package in the mail. Each sheet is 2 feet by 3 feet, and is extremely thin and lightweight. They're marbled by hand and the detail and texture is just amazing. Right away, though, I thought they might be a little too pink, but when I framed it with an oversized frame and mat from Ikea, the pink wasn't screaming at me anymore.(Thank goodness.) 

I am loving the pop of color it brings to my dining room. It's different than anything else I have, surprising and so much fun. 

Just for the heck of it, I threw a lamp and some accessories up on the buffet to see if I liked it. These guys aren't staying, but they gave me a good idea of what it will look like all finished. Yes, it's official, I like it. (And before you ask: I do know I need hardware on the buffet. I'm hoping to find the perfect pulls soon!)

But wait, I'm not finished there. Monica and I are working with the incredibly talented Brad, of Lucent Lampworks, and he's creating two custom cage light sconces for either side of the art piece. To help you (and me!) envision it, here's a rough mock-up of what they'll look like. (These lights are not the exact ones I'm getting, but are close enough to help get the idea.)

 Speaking of lighting, Brad is also using this shade to create an awesome large pendant light for above the dining room table. Can.Not.Wait.

So, what do you think of marbled paper? Have you ever thought of using paper (of any kind) as art?

We love a good DIY project so, of course, it comes as no big surprise that we automatically think DIY when it comes to gift-giving, as well. It's so fun to see a resurgence of all things handmade, and trust me, your friends and family won't miss that scarf and mitten set from one of those big box stores. I've rounded up 11 fun gift ideas for everyone on your list- most of them are easy to do and under $20. Let's get started!



1. DIY Color Pop Cord Lamp from Vintage Revivals. Leave it to Mandi to come up with something totally awesome. And get this, she made the lamp base out of a vase!

2. Marbled Paper Box from Centsational Girl. This project is what inspired me to hang marbled paper art in my dining room. The possibilities are endless with these boxes and could be customized for every recipient.

3. Sharpie Art Gift Mugs from Whipperberry. Super cute and easy. Love. Enough said.

4. DIY Washer Necklace from By Wilma. I'll be honest, I know nothing about making jewelry, but this tutorial makes me think I could tackle this one! I might just have to make one for myself… as a sample, of course. Ahem.

5. DIY Recipe book from 36th Avenue. This is a really simple upcycle of a cheap notebook using paint, paper clips and cute scrapbook paper. Totally doable, and cheap, to boot!

6. Double Wine Gift Bag from Infarrantly Creative. We always pick up a few bottles of wine for hostess gifts and this bag would be a perfect addition!

7. DIY Rope-Wrapped Hurricane Vase from us! (hehe.) I wasn't joking when I said I wanted to make one of these for all my friends. The cost for all of the materials is around $10, and that will make several of these vases!

8. Chalkboard Art Ornaments from Clean & Scentsible. We've been seeing chalkboards are all over the place, (for good reason- they're awesome!), and I love this version as ornaments! Aren't they cute?

9. Christmas Potpourri Neighbor Gift from Landee See, Landee Do. Nothing makes me happier than a house filled with Christmasy smells, so this gift is right up my alley. Comes with cute printable tags, too.

10. DIY Farmhouse Doll Bed by Ana White. My daughter is getting an American Girl doll from my mom this year, and you better believe I'm having my hubs make this adorable bed to go with it.

11. DIY Wooden Matchbox Car Race Track from Pretty Handy Girl. I can't forget all the little boys out there, and so this gift is for them! I love that this race track can be completely customized with their favorite colors and name.

I hope this round-up of awesome gift ideas gets you inspired to give something handmade this year! What's your favorite, easy DIY Christmas gift? Please share!

My dining room. Well, like everything else around here, it seems like it's taking forever to pull together. I am oh-so-close to doing a full reveal for you (like next-week-close!), but I wanted to give you the juicy details about the fabulous lighting that we installed that totally completes the look I was going for. Love it when that happens! The last time you saw this space, it looked like this:

Awesome planked wall, beautiful white-washed table and the doesn't-quite-fit-in spray painted chandy. I'm happy to report that it has come a long way since then. When this picture was taken, I was feeling so stumped as to how I could make this room feel like I wanted it to, and I knew that what was holding me back was that coral chandelier. I mean, don't get me wrong- I love the color, but it was definitely limiting me. And limits I do not like. That's when Brad, from Lucent Lampworks, stepped in and said he might be able to help me.

His lighting. Oh, his lighting. It's gorgeous and simple and modern and vintage and industrial and cool all at once. Brad invited us over to his shop to take a look at his work and we were blown away. He's not a lighting guy by trade, but creates some beautiful fixtures in his spare time. Just recently one of his lights was featured on Extreme Home Makeover, so you know if Ty P. is sold, then this guy is the real deal. Anyway, I digress. I told him what I wanted, and you know what? He made it for me. Custom. And they're awesome. And his prices are ridiculously reasonable. See? I like Lucent Lampworks so much I can't even write in complete sentences. Let's just cut to the chase, shall we?

I really wanted two sconces to flank the piece of Marbled Paper Art that fit in with the whole coastal, cottage feel. Brad searched for these cages and found them on Ebay and turned them into fabulous sconces. I absolutely love them- all they need are some edison bulbs, but I keep forgetting to pick them up when I'm out!

I love the contrast between the industrial sconces and the marbled paper art.

I'm still messing around with the final touches for the dining room (for instance, those plant pots aren't staying that color, but it's been too darn cold to spraypaint!), so most likely this buffet will look different next time you see it.
As for the pendant light for above my dining room table, I decided to go with a white enamel shade (similar to this one in his shop) that Brad reclaimed from the Scranton Lace Factory. This light is probably from the early 1900's, which I love! It has loads of character and chippy goodness.

It's perfect, isn't it? And, I am thrilled with the view from the kitchen, now that it includes my fabulous lights!

The pendant has really soft uplighting from holes in the top of the shade that is just beautiful and helps illuminate the space better at night.

I seriously could not be happier with my new lights! If you guys are in need of any lighting, head over to Lucent Lampworks to see all that Brad has to offer! You will not find a nicer, more accomodating guy than Brad and he is super talented. Use the code EC2tenoff to receive 10% off your order and tell him we sent you!
Tell me, what does your dream light look like??