Well, I got all of the sanding, priming and first coat of paint done on the top half of this cabinet. It looks super splotchy and I think I'll need to do a couple more coats of black paint.


My boyfriend made it pretty clear when this piece of furniture showed up at our house that he was not that into it. Then today I remembered this piece from a GORGEOUS local shop called Revival Home & Garden and showed the picture to my boyfriend...Boy, did that change his view on it! It helped him to see the potential of how our piece will be beautiful and turn out perfect in our home! I'm doing solid black, but you get the idea....


XO Athena

What I'm working on.....

This is my new baby, and therefore my new project. This antique china cabinet was going for super cheap on ebay and I snatched it right up for a Buy it Now price, since there were a bunch of inquiries about it. Below are the two pieces, and I am going to paint them both and put wallpaper on the back wall of the cabinet.


It's absolutely gorgeous, but does need work. It has it's original mid century paint and this gross green putty inside the cabinet. Yuck! Maybe it was used to hold down objects displayed inside? Who knows. It's been a pain to get off, I can tell you that much! These are a few photos from my inspiration folder that came to mind when I purchased it...

via ebay

Craigslist via Nuestra Vida Dulce

Craigslist via Nuestra Vida Dulce

via ebay

Celerie Kemble via Flickr

Chapman Radcliffe Home via Oh Happy Day

My original idea was to paint it a glossy pale gray with a yellow floral wallpaper inside, probably with a metallic gold in it. Then I realized it wasn't the most guy-friendly combo and I have to keep my man in mind! I think I've settled on black glossy paint and a black floral Designer's Guild wallpaper inside the cabinet.... something that we both will love! I'll be posting pictures soon when it's closer to done!

XO Athena

Jill Johnson's Beach Bungalow in Coastal Living

Yesterday I was flipping through my March copy of Coastal Living (yes I'm a little late catching up on my dec mag reading) and spotted this article on Jill Johnson. This home soooooo pretty and I wanna move in! It's beachy without being cliche. The armoire, the bamboo pieces, the colors.....everything!







XO Athena

June/July Lonny Mag!

I just devoured this issue of Lonny, just as I do when each one comes out. I was mesmerized by the beautiful homes, especially these first three photos of Elizabeth Bauer's home. Her apartment just kills me. The lucite and brass coffee table, the color palette, the greek-key design roman blinds, the velvet Designer's Guild stripe on the sofa. LOVE!










If you haven't checked it out, go immediately!

XO Athena

Faux Bamboo Chandeliers

I'm moving soon, so I have many thoughts swimming through my head about how I'm going to decorate the new place. I have lots of lamps but have never bought any actual light fixtures such as chandeliers or sconces, since I've always been a renter. Luckily my current apartment has gorgeous ceiling fixtures.... Yet unfortunately I can't take them with me .... Thus my hunt for chandeliers begins. I've really been into the faux bamboo chandliers lately, especially the pagoda-shaped ones. Anything faux-bamboo and Chinoiserie-esque is good in my book! Ebay always has gorgeous ones, very similar to the ones on 1st Dibs that they charge an arm and a leg for.

Bamboo Tower Chandelier from Shades of Light, $298

Bijoux Transitional Chandelier from Arcadian Lighting, $340

via Turquoise LA

via ebay

via ebay

via ebay

via ebay

via ebay

via ebay

via Lonny Magazine

XO Athena