Hi friends and welcome back to the three-month decorating challenge, where I and five of my favorite blogger friends were challenged to decorate a space three different ways for three months! The catch is that we can only use what we already have. (I cheated…a teeny tiny bit.)
I chose my hutch circa 1999:
Which I painted a couple of years ago…as a reminder, here it was at Christmas:
And you may remember I decided to keep the ironstone and keep it clean and fresh with a few mercury glass pieces mixed it for Month #1:
Well I was able to give this hutch an entirely new look for month #2!
By adding scrapbook paper to the back, it looks so much different.
I had purchased this paper originally to Mod Podge on the drawers of this dressing table. But here’s where I cheated…I was three pieces short! So I did spend $1.77. 🙂
I kept some of the ironstone because it was just so pretty against the black:
When I buy photo albums, I usually stick with the black/white color family now so they look cohesive when displayed together. I borrowed these from the hutch above my desk:
The little bird nests on top were 50¢ yard sale finds from a couple of Summers ago.
On the top I added these pretty birdcages that were actually part of Michael’s Fall collection. I found them with this pretty storage case I made over for my Favorite Things Giveaway. I purchased them at 75% off this past Fall knowing they would be perfect for Spring! (That’s shopping the house right? Er… garage?)
I placed a teacup with a faux hydrangea bloom in each one.
Behind this cage is a sweet picture of me and my youngest when he was only a week old. (This came from the wall in my dining room.)
I kept the other side very balanced, holding another birdcage and a photo I love of my husband and his mom. (This one has been used in a couple of places, but most recently I had in a rectangular lantern on a side table in my living room.):
I love the little pops of green against the black damask paper.
In the center I used more ironstone and an ironstone teapot with more faux blooms I borrowed from the other side of the room. The mirrored tray was on my desk:
I used super sophisticated scotch magic tape to hang the paper. I wanted it to be easily removed for when I am ready for a new look. The pattern is pretty busy, so the tape is easily hidden.
I purchased this paper at Hobby Lobby.
I’m thrilled with the results! Thanks to this challenge for pushing me to create a new look. Last month’s look feels so bland in comparison now.
I added these faux flowers to this $5 estate sale urn last month to add some color to the dining room. They’ll tide me over until my real hydrangeas are back in bloom. (I stole the teacup blooms from the backside.)
That’s my space for month #2! I’m not sure I’ll be ready to change it out again for next month’s challenge! If you missed Month #1, you can check that out here.
I will have to get creative though since it will be during my 31 Thrifty makeovers in 31 days March Madness Challenge, which starts this Sunday! Ahhhhh
Here are some peeks at what my friends changed up this month. You can check them all out at the links below!
Don’t forget, you can also join in this three-month challenge,
even if it’s only for the last two months!!!
Just share your before and after on our Decorating Enthusiasts DIY Forum on Facebook!!
We would LOVE for you to join in the fun! It’s also a place where we can all share what we’re working on, what we’ve created, or what we might need a little advice about. We’d love for you to participate in our decorating challenge by sharing with us how you shopped your home to change up a space! I hope you’ll check it out and join in the conversation!
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
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I love to share at some of these great parties:
Home Stories A to Z Not Just a Housewife Kammy’s Korner The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Redoux Interiors Between Naps on the Porch The DIY Dreamer Oh My Creative Little Miss Celebration Just a Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal Interior Frugalista House on the Way Addicted 2 DIY I should be Mopping the Floor Miss Mustard Seed
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I love this idea! Your space looks so beautiful. I’ll have to take a peek around the house and see what I have lurking in forgotten boxes!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Anele! It’s so easy to go shopping when I want to change things up, but this was free (almost) and I’m just as happy with it. I bet you’ve got lots of things you’ve forgotten about. 🙂
Debbie says
I love your black, white and green theme!! So refreshing! Now I want to go get some paper for my china hutch! Beautiful idea and I love the family photos:)
Debbie
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Debbie! I’m loving it for Spring. 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Love the paper on the back! And the touches of green are perfect against it!! It’s amazing how different it looks! What a fun change up!
Love it! 🙂
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! I might keep it and see if I can work it for next time or maybe change it out again? We’ll see. This challenge definitely made me think outside the box! XOXO
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Beautiful!!! What a great idea to use scrapbook paper!!! Such a sophisticated, cottage look!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Christy! I’m not sure I’ll be ready to take it down! XOXO
Rosalie says
Lovely post! I think that it would be so great to start a this kind of challenge! I love decorating! Thanks for the post! Greets, Homerton Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rosalie! It is fun!
Paula@SweetPea says
Adding scrapbook paper to the back of your piece totally changes the look and it really makes your Ironstone piece pop. I love this look!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! I love the ironstone against it too! 🙂
Mary says
I love following this challenge to see what transpires. I just recently staged my hutch that I completed painting and posted about it. I loved the way you added paper to the back. I am going to keeP that in mind
Christy K. James says
I’m glad you’re enjoying following along, Mary! I love this sort of thing because it really makes me think outside the box. 🙂
laura@top this top that says
oh, i just love this look. I would not thought to use paper to cover the back..clever. It adds so much interest and changes the look completely.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Laura! I just happened to have this paper (most of it ha ha), so this was a perfect time to try it out. 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Love this look too Christy! You just gave me a light bulb moment. We are getting ready to make some changes to our dining room and one of the things we can’t decide on is what do with the back of our bult-in china cabinets. Paint color vs. wallpaper. I’m going to pull out my scrapbook paper and play a little. In fact I think I already know which sheets I want to play with. Thanks Christy!!!!
Christy K. James says
Oh yes, add paper!! I just hung it with scotch magic tape, so it would be easy to remove later. 🙂
Kim says
The black against the white is such a pretty combination–French Country?
I think the idea of shopping at your home is a great one! I have so many things that I love and don’t want to get rid of but not enough space to display them all. This is a fun way to bring them back out and enjoy them again.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kim! I’m the same way…I hold onto things forever because I still like them. This is a great way to bring them back into the rotation. 🙂