Copper knobs round-up

I've been on the hunt for new knobs for our Ikea Hemnes dresser....you know the dresser?  The trusty, white beast of a dresser that you see everywhere?  Yup, I have it too...but, I want to jazz it up a bit.  I was thinking a touch of copper would be fun.  I've suggested many knobs to clients from these following companies that I adore, but my budget isn't always that large.  Here are the knobs that I'd love to grab for our dresser...

the Hex Knob by Schoolhouse Electric

Colonial Bronze by MyKnobs.com 

Glinted Prism knob by Anthropologie

For all of you that are familiar with the Hemnes dresser, it needs 12 knobs or 4 knobs and really spaced out pulls which usually are costly as well.  But for anyone else in this predicament I have a more cost effective option....Target!!!  Shocker right?  My favorite store had these little goodies in-stock the other day. 

I can't find them online yet, but they come in a set of 4 for $12.99...not too shabby.  We'll see if this ends up being my route I choose.  I'm thinking it is a great alternative for me to get that touch of copper at a lower budget.  

My Star burst Mirror

I have been wanting a star burst mirror FOREVER, but haven't wanted to spend the money that is required for the size I wanted. (end result 34" diameter) I wanted a true statement above my bed.  I have a fairly good size headboard that is the darkest espresso, so it really grabs your attention when you walk in the room.  I wanted to put something above the headboard that would take the attention away from my bed...and I love how star burst mirrors always seem to do this.  I've used many in my design boards and always hear about how much everyone loved the mirror.  So, it was officially time for project star burst mirror. 

I wanted to go the most cost effective, easy route possible cause I'm one of those that likes projects to be done in one day...slightly to a default really. (Hence my kitchen table is still just primed cause I ran out of time the day I was going to paint it) 

My supplies in the end consisted of 4 packs of skewers (80 per pack) from Target for $1.54 each
A 10" round mirror from Michael's for $5
Two 12" round rings with about a 2" face to them $3 each
picture hanger I had at home
E-6000 glue $2.49
and a whole lot of glue sticks to accompany my glue gun! (also had at home)

My first step...which I am so glad I did before hand was put on the hardware that I wanted my mirror to hang from.  I screwed on a picture triangle thing =) yeah, don't know the name of it, but any type of picture hanger would work. 

Then I used my E-6000 glue to put a thin line of glue around the entire circumference of the mirror and repeated this around the entire inner circumference of the first circle.  Then I used a very handy tool to press the two together for a few minutes:

Nothing like a decorative basket of oranges as a press. 

Next helpful step was to create a grid.  This grid acted as a guideline throughout placing the skewers.  Don't skip this part, I found it super helpful.  It also created a symmetry of spacing.  Trust me...it gets a little overwhelming when you have hundreds of skewers ready to be glued. 

I then started gluing.  I first put three skewers at the end of each tapped grid line.  Again, acting as a guide.  This is where I discovered a few issues.  A star burst isn't a star burst if there isn't variation in the lengths of the skewers.  My skewers were all 12" in length...so I began breaking them. Yep, with my bare hands I broke off about two or so inches off the end of each skewer.  Don't worry about being precise, it adds to the character of the rays. 

Again, more gluing.  Using the already glued 12" skewers guide, gradually glue skewers from longest to shortest towards the center of each section and then back towards the longest to the other pre-glued skewers.  The above picture shows a few sections completed.  Don't stress yourself out about perfection here...trust me when it is on the wall you won't tell if you don't have the exact same number of skewers in each section...I never counted once.

 Here is the finished picture of gluing the skewers.  I then cut out a circle from craft paper I had laying around in my kids room to cover the mirror.  I knew my second circle was going on top of where the skewers were glued, therefore if my tape hung over onto the skewers a bit, it didn't matter. 

 Spray paint time!  I choose a bronze spray paint with a bit of metallic sheen, I didn't want it too shiny.  After the paint tried, which was so quick, I then used my E-6000 glue again and glued a circle around the wood circle and then did a circle of the glue right outside the edge of the mirror, again pressing them together for a few minutes. 

 I had to share my cutest little helper and support. 

Once the last circle was glued to the front of the mirror, I was all done.  I really liked the idea of adding this extra circle to the front because it hid all the yucky glue issues you have after getting the skewers to adhere.  Trust me you want to use a lot of glue. 

 And there it is, I wouldn't say it is perfect...but she sure is pretty!!! 

Dandelion

There is something about a Dandelion that I love.  Its softness, its freeing ways...it's so similar to a child.  It exudes tenderness, so why not use it in a nursery?  Today I've played with this theme and created a space for a little lady.

1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  13

Chic and fairly cheap

Ok...anyone who knows me knows how much I am obsessed with  adore Target and Ikea.  They both continue to produce great pieces at even better prices.  This isn't new to any of you, obviously.  I just thought I'd create a nursery design board using the majority of the pieces from these two superstores. 

1,2,3,4, 6,7,8,9,10,12,14,15 are all from Target and here
5 can be found on Etsy
11,13 are from IKEA

I did a post recently talking about the new Golden Days collection at Target.  I have to say I walk down the aisle to stare at these pieces each time I visit Target, which with two kids is at least twice a week.  These items are so girly, chic and amazingly priced.  I don't mind mixing romance, curves and sleak lines together. It can really add some quiet appeal to a room. There are no rules. Why not design a nursery around them? 
The entire cost of this design board only came to $897 plus tax.  And that is with the $399.99 splurge on the settee.  There would definitely be other expenses involved...crib sheet and skirt if wanted, paint on the wall, drapes, but they too can be purchased at such a low price.  It is so fun and so possible to create a nursery on a budget.  It's a challenge I love to tackle.