When Mr. Engineer is away...

... the Architectress will play.

A couple weekends ago Mr. Engineer went to the fishing camp and I did a little décor update to our guest bathroom. I thought some stripes on an accent wall and hanging some artwork would brighten up this small space.

It's a little hard to take photos of the whole wall at once… this is the before photo. I still love the Cincinnatian Hotel  Hannaford Valspar paint color we currently have on the bathroom walls, but I wanted to introduce a new color and pattern.

First I patched a few holes and imperfections in the wall with some spackle. When it dried I lightly sanded it. And then, I measured and taped off the stripes with some frog tape. 

This was the the first time I actually painted a wall:.. Even if it was just some small stripes on a tiny wall. I picked a white, that would match my moulding and base boards. I just brought a chip from my moulding and had them match the color at Lowes. I used a brush first to get into the corner. Then I applied the main coat with a roller. 

I only let the paint dry for about ten minutes then I peeled off the frog tape. I got super crisp lines.

I think it came out pretty good!

I added some artwork to complete the look.

  

I was recently given a little piece of art that was done by my father. This artwork is probably older than I am. It has been in my parent's master bathroom for as long as I remember. Currently my parents are redoing their bathroom and then adding on a new bathroom / closet suite so I inherited this quirky piece of folk art.

I was just going  to hang it inside the bathroom, but I didn't feel there was a good place to hang it...

...and then I found the perfect place to hang it is on our guest bathroom door. It also makes it easier for our guests to find the restroom.





 Linked up to Not Just a Housewife 

Architects' Glasses

Glasses are a major fashion statement within the profession. Chuncky black glasses are the typical choice for architects.

    

Le Corbusier, Philip Johnson ,  I. M. Pei

I just got my new glasses! Having the last pair for six years and it was definitely time for a change.

They are db4k Europa International Old School in black and crystal.

and yes.. they are children's glasses, because my face is so small I have to buy kid's size.

My new glasses also come at a time of transition with a new job opportunity. Today I started working at a new firm.

Fall Mantle

After Halloween was over and with Thanksgiving on the way, I wanted to reuse our pumpkins and make a colorful fall mantle.

 

 

The color palate I used was orange, yellow, cream, silver and bronze with a hint of light blue.

 

 

I made a simple cream, bronze, and yellow bunting from some left over fabric and burlap scraps to hang from the mantle.

 

The pumpkins transitioned perfectly from outside the front door to the mantle. They were a perfect size variation.

 

 

I made some simple pinecone garland with some strips of burlap and spray painting a couple of pinecones and I hung it from a fleur de lis stocking hanger. I also spray painted a small pumpkin yellow to transition into the new theme.

 

 

 I picked up a light blue mircury mirrored vase at Hobby Lobby and put a few dried calla lilies in it paired with a bronze frame with a photo of Mr. Engineer years ago at a Thanksgiving dinner and then surrounded it with pumpkins.

 

The other side of the mantle was just as festive.

I also spray painted a cigar box yellow to give my vase some height. I arranged the vase with sticks and even spray painted a couple of them silver and yellow to go with the color scheme. I put a light blue ceramic frame I got from Steinmart and added a few pumpkins next to it.



I put a few vintage books and on top I put a hand made ceramic bowl that Mr. Engineer made in his youth paired with a multicolored pumpkin.


 

I think it came out great! Happy Fall Y'all and have a great Thanksgiving!

 

 

 Linked up at Tatertots and Jello

 

DIY Vintage Tennis Racket Wall Organizer

I am not only an aspiring architect, I am also an amateur designer, artist, and crafter. 

My Mama's birthday just passed, so of course I decided to make her something (with the help of my sister and Mr. Engineer) instead of buying her something. Making her something is from the heart as well as being easy on a budget. It also ensures that the gift is one of a kind!

Tennis is her sport, so that is where I started thinking of ideas and this is what I came up with...

... aVintage Tennis Racket Wall Organizer that we created for her!

I am going to go through step by step instructions if anyone wants to try it for themselves. Of course  you can also use this idea for another sport, by using some different vintage sporting equipment baseball bat, golf club, or hockey stick.

Supplies for this project:

- drill and bits

- spray paint (I used Krylon Brushed Metallic Satin - 1251 Sesame Shimmer) 

- permanent marker

- hooks (the only thing I actually bought for this project - I used white 7/8 inch cup hooks)
- vintage racket (or other types sports equipment)

My sister got this vintage wooden racket for free, given to her by a friend. First I spray painted the racket (I don't have any before pictures, I did this step a few months ago in the pre-blog days)

Then I drilled a few pilot holes for the hooks on the bottom of the racket handle.

Then I twisted in the screws. They were a little hard to screw it in by hand, so I asked Mr. Engineer to help me and he suggested using pliers... he is so smart because it was much easier with leverage from the pliers.

Finally, we wanted to personalize it. So, my sister (who has better penmanship than I do) added the words "Tennis Beast" which is our Mama's tennis nickname.

She can hang her tennis metals, jewelry, or anything else. Eventually she will hang it in her new master closet, which is currently being built, so I will eventually have to include a photo when she hangs it and fills it with her pretty trinkets!

Architect's Etsy Gift Guide

There is only 50 days until Christmas! So now is the perfect time to start thinking about what to get for the architect (or engineer) in your life. This is where I turn to Etsy. I am obsessed with Etsy because there are so many unique and custom items. So, I decided to complie the Gift Guide for your favorite architect (or engineer):

Topographical Map Bowtie by Cyberoptix

(My dad wore one like this to our wedding)

Custom Name Plate by DadsHobbies

(I gave one of these to Mr. Engineer's for his college graduation gift)

Concrete Necklace by Cocorrina

(I would love this little beauty)

Custom House Coasters by wandersketch
(you could pick your favorite buildings)

Reclaimed Wood Pencil Organizer by andrewsreclaimed

(This would actually look great on anyone's desk)

Map Pillow by mybeardedpigeon
(This pillow would look amazing in our living room)

Skyline Cufflinks by drakedesignsjewelry
(you can pick your favorite city)

Supplies Art Print by anopensketchbook

(This is so precious, it reminds me of studio)

Halloween 2013 Recap

Halloween always makes me feel like a kid again. Everyone dresses up and eats way too much candy! Last Friday night we got our first dose of tricks and treats... there was a ding-dong ditcher who left a little gift at the door.

We had been Boo-ed! All I have to say is that our neighbors know us too well!

The treats also came with instructions to put up the phantom ghost on our door and to go to the Been Boo-ed website and print out another copy of the instructions and the next night go Boo someone else in the neighborhood.

This starts a chain reaction and soon most of the neighbors had phantom ghosts on their doors by Halloween. It is such a cute idea and quite fun when it is your turn to leave a treat on someones door! We opted for a more homemade treats...

               

We left a Boo Sign and some Halloween Hand Treats
It was an adrenalin rush to creep up to someones door and ring the door bell and haul it out of there!

Our neighborhood celebrated Trick-or-Treating a day early on Halloween Eve because of bad weather forecast for Halloween night. But it turned out to be a success! We had our setup in our neighbor's driveway to gave out candy from us and our two neighbors while they went Trick-or-Treating with their little ones.

This is my Halloween Trick-or-Treating display with my sliver spray painted pumpkins!

I made my dogs some simple costumes this year...

                

...Yes! Beanie Babies!

Aren't they so precious!

                

Last year I went with something a bit more time consuming...

What cute little Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun and New Orleans' Saints cheerleaders! I made the tulle tutus and the yarn pom poms.

I also decided what architecture costume I will dress up as for the party I am going to tonight! Here is a hint...

...Yes! I am going as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

I made an applique on a dress I already had using electrical tape!

I will literally be leaning with one heel and on flat on.

And I had to add some accessories of an Italian flag headband, fishnet stocking and some gloves to make the outfit complete! Happy Halloween everybody, I hope y'alls was great!

Linked up to Blissful and Domestic