DIY Industrial Wire baskets

Like I shared in my last post that you can find here, I told you I was on the hunt for a few things for our sunroom amongst other rooms that we are working on as well. One of those things was baskets for inside of our tv stand. Initially, I thought that I wanted a nice warm and woven basket but found these babies today at TjMaxx. Although they were cute in their school bus yellow color, it doesn't fit into my decor. The best part about these baskets? They were $9.99 each, have a linen inside cover that is removable and washable and everything was marked down an extra 20% at one of our TjMaxx's since it was moving locations! Making them a whopping $8.00 each? Why yes, I'll take two.

Here's the tv stand before I got them. Nothing special. I actually just filled it with crap that was laying around so it didn't look like we just moved in. I know, brilliant. 

Insert my $1.00 can of black spray paint from Lowes and I knew these babies could be even more fabulous but more importantly, my style. I've had a few of these baskets before in our previous houses and ended up putting them for sale at our sales that we do… I still love the look though! So, the point of my post is basically to consider can you do anything to any item to make it more you and your style? This was a great example for me, I really didn't care for the yellow but for the price and knowing that I had spray paint at home… can't beat it!

I tried to remember to take photos of the process…. kinda looks like Pittsburgh Steeler colors. My daddy would be happy about me saying that on here. This probably took me about 5 minutes to do both baskets. I used wood that is not seen in the photos to prop them up off the ground. And I should have put something down so I didn't spray my grass but I get excited and get ahead of myself a lot!

But I did show you the wood scraps I used to prop them up to dry on our back patio. I didn't worry about hitting the bottoms too much because I knew the inside linen covers would cover it just fine. I allowed them to dry for a few hours and then brought them back inside!

Here's how they look now… Black. I love the linen covers against the black. I'm thinking I'll look for a vintage cast iron plate to put on the front of each to add some interest. Right now, these hold doggie toys and harnesses… leashes, shirts, etc. 

And here's a photo from a far. I hate cords. Have I mentioned the before? I will be doing something about that soon… so stay tuned! I'm also thinking of switching things up around the tv… or as my husband would chime in… "We could just get a bigger tv." So man-ish of him. The boxwoods moved right after I took this photo. As did a few other things in the sunroom so that's another thing to look out for soon! I am hoping to find some great stuff at Fancy Flea when that comes later this month!

While they were having this fabulous 20% everything sale, I picked up some dishes, a few shirts, some new dog toys and this beautiful throw that I've been eyeing for some time now! I love how thick it is.

 And I found the perfect place for it on my new leather yardsale chair!

Remember when decorating to think outside of the box. And to not let even the small things pass by if you can do something with them. Get those creative juices flowing and enjoy it!

New windows in the sunroom and decorating around the tv

I don't know about y'all but I just love boxwoods. Something about them in rooms makes it feel fresh, inviting, calm and adds a nice pop of color! I knew I wanted something with a little bit of height but that was slim line and skinny for either side of our new tv stand. Originally, I was going to use my gates that I had back in the dining room of the old rental house. To see the home tour of our old rental, just click here. Well I posted the gates for sale on my Facebook page but they are available right now for $150 for the pair. Here's a photo of them below. I also was going to post our old Ikea coffee table and end table set but they sold within a few hours of me putting them on Craigslist which is always a blessing. They were a cute set and I hope they work for the next person as much as they worked for us.

Onto new things though… So, I purchased two matching 8 pane windows from Rennigers Flea Market in Mt. Dora, Florida last week. I went with a few friends, Heather from Pineapple Avenue and Dawn, from Lucky Day Design Co. I had a ton of fun and we found A LOT of great things! I actually thought that I would be the one to break the bank but we all did really well and mostly got things to sell and transform for y'all so please, feel lucky right about now ;-)

Since we moved into our home, I've been craving a house that I've dreamt of. I'm just "over" keeping stuff that I don't really love. So if you're local, you may have noticed that I have been purging. A LOT. I used to have decor closets that I could go to and switch things out. Well, my decor stash is down to a mere little pile and I am proud to say that. The things that are in your home should reflect you. They should reflect a memory you love and don't want to forget. Or someone you love dearly. I don't want to keep stuff just because I got it on clearance or because I may use it "someday." If you haven't used it in a year, chances are you probably are not going to use it period. And y'all, let me tell you first hand how rewarding and FREEING that it was to purge. I feel so much better already and I am starting to slowly love my home as I've been slowly adding things that speak to me, things that I love…and am crazy about… you should try it sometime. It really is good for the soul.

I fell head over heels in love with the tv stand as soon as I saw it. My favorite part are the middle drawers and the cupped hardware. Drooling over here. The window were raw wood so I painted them a matte black. I've always loved black in interior design as it is a nod to traditional design. I'd like to think I'm traditional meets cottage meets farmhouse. Ya like that don't you?

I added my signature boxwoods…and of course love them. I hung each wreath with one inch thick burlap ribbon that I found at GoodWill for two huge rolls! I love the contrast of the window against the wall, the wreath against the window and the burlap against the black.

Here's a view looking directly in front of the tv stand. As I mentioned before, since I purged, I no longer can go find whatever is in the guest bedroom to fill my tv stand so slowly, I will fill it with things I love. I'm on the hunt for some baskets for the lower half though to hold games, toys, etc.

Oh and in case you are wondering…and I know y'all will appreciate my awesome photoshop skills below! I do have a plan for something about the tv. Originally I thought of doing a small plate wall and using plates that I could customize with quotes or something true to me. Now, I am thinking I am going to make a custom pediment to go above it trimmed out at the top. Something to the shape that I tried to draw in photoshop. I'd like it to say something short, sweet and something that makes me smile every time I look at it. The only thing I keep thinking for it to say is "Life is Good" in cursive or another language. Simple enough right?

I also might add a plate above each window or a piece of architectural salvage. Each needs some more interest since it's such straight lines…but still digging the look. I cannot wait to install crown molding in here later down the road. Crown molding finishes everything off in my opinion...

Just wanted to show y'all this quick update. I've been going through clothes for the past few days to list on Ebay. If you know me personally, you would be so proud of all that I have gotten rid of, donated and sold. A couple of weeks back, I took 4 different SUV loads to a thrift store to donate. Talk about feeling good about yourself, right and helping others… it really is the best feeling.

Linking up to:

Liz Marie Blog

Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday's

New art, shabby cabinet for sale and a new mirror & lamps

Probably the longest title ever for a blog post. Oh well. For those of you who were wondering, my sale went very well. We only had a few large items left which I anticipated from the beginning that we would not sell. Two antique dressers and an antique Duncan Phyfe buffet. If you're interested, there are going to be pictures going up very soon on Home by Ally on Facebook.

So let me start by saying that Milo says hello! He is getting so big and is such a little ham!

First up would be my gorgeous new lamps that I found at our TjMaxx. I've been eyeing lamps like this FOREVER at Pottery Barn, the ones at Target and other stores but they were TOO pricey for my liking and usually JUST for the bases! These came with the shades for half the price! Although I have to say that the lamp shades were a burlap fabric type shade that I thought didn't do anything for the lamps so I added these cream linen shades that I had laying around. 

Here's an up close view. I'm all about greenery and bringing color in through natural elements so you'll see a lot of faux plants in our home. I think they add a great little punch of color.

I also went to Hobby Lobby when they had their knobs for 50% off and scooped up 3 new ones for the TV stand. I'm really sad that I heard that they are not doing the 50% knobs anymore. These really helps out most of us who do DIY projects or furniture...sad day for me :-( I needed a change to the regular old silver ones. This cost me under $10 to update the whole TV stand. A cute little idea if you don't want a new TV stand but just kinda wanna give yours a facelift.

If you have been following me for awhile, you may also know that I have a "slight" obsession with boxwoods. And there's no exception with these boxwood topiaries. I adore them and flanked them on either side of our TV in our living room. I had smaller plants on either side but we really needed something with height to make a great impression on the eye.

Here's a better photo. I'm really digging the change. I've been searching for a piece of architectural salvage to hang above our TV for some time now but no luck yet :(

Oh! And here's my update on my apothecary dresser that I painted a warm sage green! I finally got all the knobs from Hobby Lobby while I was home in North Carolina! I adore this little piece and I was so lucky to find it. And no, I'm really not ready to sell it yet ;-)

Here's a view walking from the dining room near our patio door. My antique mahogany rocker that I painted a warm beige and slightly distressed. I adore that chair and couldn't bring myself to sell it at my first sale here in Florida. For now, it sits in our living room but I would love to find a nice padded chair or a nice, cute pillow to go in it. Still on the hunt.

Quickly, I threw a pillow from the couch on the chair. I still would LOVE to find new pillows for my couch more of my "style" but these paisley ones do the trick for now. Pillows are such an easy change and it's nice to have a few different selections for when you feel the urge to change things up.

Ok so... my shabby cabinet from circa 1900's the guy said? It is the base to an old cupboard that came out of an Florida or Georgia home. The paint is all original. I added the nice and rustic pulls and the planked wood top. And guess what, these hunky piece of wood is for sale. Please email me through the contact me tab if you are interested. It is for local pickup only and truly a statement piece. Years and years of paint on this beauty and just a lovely addition to any home.

Here's a few at all of the chippy goodness.

And a close up of the paint.

Interior doors are in a cream color while the shelving varies from aquas, greens and raw woods.

Original hardware on the cabinet doors.

OH! And I purchased this mirror at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. I thought the lines were beautiful but the red/black were not me but I bought it anyways. I'm going to paint it white and hang it in our entryway if I can ever get to it. 

For now, I wanted to share some new things with you in our home. First up are these vintage drawings from Clayton, Georgia circa 1975. I snatched them up at a thrift store and knew the perfect place for them. I've been searching for little things for our home like this every time I go out so let's just say I was super excited when I found these beauties today! And what makes it even better is the bottom print is a print of a old store called Alley's Grocery. They got the spelling wrong but I thought it was pretty neat.

I love the grouping so much and it reminds me of a mini gallery wall. The warm wood compliments the beige on the walls so well. It also goes well with my antiques and collectibles I have in the space.

That's it for now. What are your latest finds? I'm sure we'll talk soon.