stuff i’ve made

paint technique to make Ikea Hemnes mirror look like Restoration Hardware finish
February 26 By meesh
i picked up this Ikea Hemnes mirror for a property in Mammoth Lakes. i wanted a rustic look to match the gorgeous and majestic Sherwin Mountain Range that is viewable from the house. i started with a light dry-brushing of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint’s Paris Grey. after brushing in the direction of the grain, […]
french door redo
March 9 By meesh
it’s 9:30pm on a saturday night and i can’t sleep. jim rome is on in the background…husband is sleeping, tightly gripping the tivo remote despite having been asleep for at least 20 minutes. i’m cruising free stuff on craigslist when i spot this old beat up French glass door hiding in the back of this […]

painting oak to look like Restoration Hardware :: mud room diy
September 11 By meesh
let me start by saying that i’ve absolutely saved no money by doing this project myself! if i account for the time spent, mistakes made, injuries sustained, and my hourly billing rate, i’d be better off having purchased the Restoration Hardware version. BUT, this has been a great project and i feel that my painting […]

how i hacked an Ikea Tarva dresser :: tutorial
February 2 By meesh
i’ll always have fond memories of Ikea. i used to bring my kids there when they had trouble sleeping…. it always went something like this: “they’ll fall asleep in the stroller while i shop.” yup, i’m THAT mom with stuff stacked in the stroller, balanced on the kids’ heads, crammed into the small storage bin […]
garden love

fall day with my new camera
don't tell my husband, but i bought a new camera... isn't this hibiscus divine? i just love the old wooden crates. why do i love the … [more...]

spring has sprung. hyacinths are popping already!
the first signs on spring are here...trouble is, we haven't really had winter. and as i write this, the temperature is dropping to the high 30s here … [more...]

attack of the bunnies!
When we landscaped our yard, I specifically researched how to keep the rabbits out. We specifically built raised veggie beds so that the bunnies … [more...]

How to grow hydrangeas from cuttings
It was a gorgeous day today. The sun was flooding into our kitchen nook. Don't you just love days with no schedules? It seems like … [more...]

so cal garden explosion
we've got rogue tomato plants all over the garden. take exhibit A. i didn't plant this one and look how amazing it is! i'm sort of insulted, … [more...]

harvesting potatoes grown in coffee sacks
howdy! several months ago, i stalked a bunch of gardening blogs to learn how to grow potatoes. while spring isn't the ideal time to grow … [more...]

summer hydrangea tablescape
i love hydrangeas. i had the luxury of spending a few hours in the garden today and cut a bunch of hydrangea as they're starting to look a … [more...]