First Steps in Home Decor

My condominium has been stuck in the 1980s. That was fine because I didn't have to deal with any prior owner "upgrades" I disagreed with. I liked the majority of the wood trim and could live with the hollow core doors (with some future changes), but there were things I needed to change for it to feel like me:

The Goals

No wallpaper border in the primary bedroom - remove and repaint - DONE

No brass door knobs - change out to sleek matte black - PURCHASED

No half melamine/half wood cabinets - paint them a solid color

No bent vinyl blinds - either curtains or roller shades

No wooden bathroom accessories (including the toilet seat!) - change them out

No messy paint job on the loft stairs - use a straight edge, maybe a stencil

No patterned globe bulbs in the bathroom light fixture - frosted globes or ribbed glass

These are my marching orders. 

The Plan

 Primed

 Painted, part 1

• I plan to create a border of a different type. After painting the walls, (Behr Establish Mint in eggshell at 50%) to replicate my inspiration pic, I'll tape off the wall using the straight bottom edge of the border and paint the top 5 inches of the wall a crisp border of white paint. A fresh coat of white on the ceiling will wait until later.

• I immediately bought new matte black doorknobs with one of the Big Box home store gift cards from my realtor. (Kwikset Cove and Casey styles in matte black)

• I copied from the family home bathroom by using the same leftover paint for these bathroom cabinets (Behr Coco Malt in satin.)

• The blinds will stay until I decide what to do. If I got curtains now, they'll probably be white, but if I wait, maybe a color scheme or patterned fabric will come to me. I have found these green linen drapes that seem that they would work with the green of the sofa. The color is cilantro (which tastes like soap to me) but I won't hold that against them if they work.

• I am changing the wooden bathroom hardware using the same basic set we used in the family home en-suite bathroom (Lowes Project Source set in Seton) but in brushed nickel, not chrome, to match the sink faucet.

 

• I will use a straight edge and leftover door paint to clean up the black edge of the stair treads, but I might also try using a stencil on the risers.

• The floral etched globes came from Lowes. They do have them in a solid white and a clear ribbed glass version. I might change them one day, but for now, it is okay. Another option is spraying these bulbs solid white.

More to come later.

Design Inspiration for My First Home

I accumulated all of these images over the last six months. You see, I knew this is how I wanted to live. I needed to find a place that would allow me to fulfill that dream. I may not have the little bungalow of my childhood dreams, but I could do whatever I wanted within these walls. Goal: Create a bungalow in a two-story condo.

These images incorporate my love of green, my father's basket and bamboo collections, mid-century chairs and general vibe, natural wood tones, eclectic artwork, quirky details, and painted furniture.

Dream Green DIY

hannahbullivant.com

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Desire to Inspire

Domino magazine

My own room photo

Mystery image from the web

midcenturymaurer.com

www.beaninloveblog.com

www.beaninloveblog.com

Let's go!

My First Home - I Bought It!

Yes, I have bought my first home. If you've read my other blog, Shelter, you know that my dream home since childhood has been a 1930s two-story bungalow, but sometimes you have to adapt your dreams. My salary (as a single woman) and working location never matched that goal, and my priorities changed as I got older. Most importantly, since living alone in the family home since my father died, I realized how having a landscaped lawn would be a second job. That fact changed my mind about those dream flower beds and picket fences. There's also the fact that I'm not known as and have never been an "outdoors" person. At all. Therefore, I needed a place that required minimum yard maintenance. 

Enter the townhouse or condo options. Maximum interior decoration fun with less to no seasonal yard maintenance!

I still had a few requirements for my home. I wanted something unique, no high-rises, and I didn't want a typical boxy apartment layout. 

Or, lets say I didn't after I helped a friend and coworker move into her new condo/townhouse. Carrying boxes, I walked up two flights (ugh, more about them later) to an adorable two bedroom apartment with a LOFT! And the second smaller bedroom at the front had three separate windows positioned like a bay window that let in so much light. My first thought was "dedicated sewing space"! The rest of the unit included an angular main living space and skylights in the loft and over the kitchen, so there was even more light! Give me ALL your light!

This unit was something unique, with character. In Newport News, where I wanted to live to be nearer work, there weren't vintage building conversions like in Richmond, VA. I found a few in Norfolk but there was no way I would do that long commute with an undersea tunnel and its infamous delays! In my price range, most Newport News properties were vintage 1980s, i.e., not the best era for residential architecture. But this one, built in 1989, was different. All of the designs in this development were quite quirky. The larger units also had lofted spaces, but they were in the primary bedroom. I didn't understand that layout at all. I have communal plans for my loft.

But before I tell you about those plans, let's look at the raw product. 

 

In future posts, I'll write about the process that led me to get this place, exactly how I imagined it. I didn't officially use The Secret but...

Coming up: 

• Inspirations
• Internet resources
• Design plan 
• Projects
• Process

Oh, and by the way, while this was all going on, I was also the only sibling living in the family property while we were trying to get the home together to sell this summer. Well, that's a whole other story and a wholly different level of stressor. Whew!

Another Tried and True T-shirt - New Look 6402

Completed in 2022.

Pattern: New Look 6838 (from 2008, since reissued as New Look 6402)

Pattern Description: Knit tops with neckline/sleeve options and pull-on drawstring pants. View C.

Pattern Sizing: Size A (XS-XL) I cut a M (14-16) for the 40.5" bust and 37" waist finished garment measurements.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very simple.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the wide neckline and the curved back seam which took care of the swayback situation.

Fabric Used: Cream chain link geometric double brush jersey knit (100% polyester) from Joann Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: When I made this pattern the first time I had fitting issues and had to alter the paper pattern extensively. You may find that the top is drafted too long, the back pattern piece will be a full inch or so wider than the front, and the neckline is extremely wide and might need adjustment. When I use this pattern I now sew a larger seam allowance on the center back, I have added to the inner neckline on my pattern piece, and also eliminated 1.5" from the hem.

Noting that my other versions were now tight in the chest I created a faux full-bust-adjustment by adapting a technique from a favorite Kwik Sew pattern. The front piece is curved outward at the bust (adding more length/room there) and gathered to fit the back piece. Once worn, the bust fills out that excess fabric.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I can not recommend the pattern as is since I had to do a major reworking of the original pattern. However, the one great thing about this pattern is that the back pattern piece included a shaped center back seam which has addressed any swayback issues. I suggest looking for similar patterns in order to create the best fitted t-shirt block that your particular shape needs.

Conclusion: I am happy with the custom fit I achieved on this make. However, I am always on the lookout for a t-shirt pattern with less effort. 

Edwardian Fan Walking Skirt - Simplicity 8747

Finished garment photo coming.

Pattern: Simplicity 8747 (2018)

Pattern Description: Misses' mid-length full skirt with a center-front seam and a godet at center back from a vintage-style two-piece suit.

Pattern Sizing: Sizes: 16-18-20-22-24; I cut size 22.

 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Exactly, it's a simple but classic design.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
They were very easy, but it's important to mark all the marks from the pattern.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This pattern works perfectly for replicating my inspiration outfit.

Fabric Used: 58" Stretch faux suede (90% polyester, 10% Spandex) in Sycamore from Joann Fabrics, Coats All-Purpose 7" polyester zipper in Forest Green, Gutermann 100% polyester thread in Forest Green #792

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Interestingly, the fabric was tough to pin, and I pulled out a size 16 ball point needle to sew it without skipping stitches. However, that bodes well for winter warmth, meaning no cold breezes will get through!

Initially, I thought of making the skirt flared at the bottom or adding more width to the back godet. However, I procrastinated enough that a straightforward sew was best. I didn't get that straightforward so though. The combination of cutting the pattern as 22 instead of 20 and it being a stretch fabric meant that I eventually had to unpick the entire thing, cut it down a size, and sew it up again. Ugh.

After cutting it down to size it fit better but not perfectly. I attached the waistband and instead of slip stitching as I usually do, I followed the instructions and stitched-in-the-ditch of the waistband seam and it worked out beautifully.

The only thing left to do was take care of the very very wide skirt hem. This, of course, I did whip stitch by hand. It probably took 3 hours (over two days) but it looks spectacular. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may attempt this again, but would make sure to use a non-stretch woven. As it is, it's quite clingy around the stomach and hips. I'm not sure I know how this should fit. 

Conclusion: I originally envisioned this skirt for a Halloween costume, which wavered between an Edwardian adventuress or a house mistress complete with a chatelaine of keys and tools.

It does match the shape but not the historical look of the inspiration. Perhaps choosing a wool or twill would have been best. To more accurately replicate the look, I may add a petticoat to smooth the lines and allow the skirt to skim my body versus hugging my curves.